Tragedy has struck as nine bodies have been discovered, while two more individuals are feared to have lost their lives in a fire that engulfed a holiday home designed for people with learning disabilities in France.
In response to the blaze, nearly 80 firefighters were dispatched to the scene in La Forge after emergency services were alerted at 06:30 local time (04:30 GMT) on Wednesday.
The individuals who are currently unaccounted for are regarded as "potentially deceased," according to a statement from a local official.
Although the fire has now been brought under control, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown.
Seventeen individuals were safely evacuated from the building, while at least one person has been transported to a hospital for medical attention.
Efforts are underway to search for the bodies of the two missing individuals, as conveyed by Philippe Hauwiller, who is leading the rescue operation.
He highlighted the challenges posed by accessing the upper floors of the structure due to significant rubble and collapsed sections.
This tragic incident occurred near Wintzenheim, in proximity to the German border and approximately 70 km (50 miles) south of Strasbourg.
In a midday update provided by the local government for the Haut-Rhin region, it was revealed that the afflicted building was utilized by two separate groups of adults, each associated with distinct charities dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities.
According to an earlier statement, one of the groups was from Nancy, located in eastern France.
The firefighting efforts involved the deployment of four fire engines and a total of 76 firefighters. Despite the intensity of the flames, the statement indicated that the fire was swiftly contained.
To assess the aftermath of the burnt structure, drones have been employed, and search efforts have included the assistance of dogs.
The head of the Bas-Rhin prefecture shared that all 11 individuals initially reported missing due to the fire are now considered to be "potentially deceased," according to AFP reports. Christophe Marot mentioned that those on the ground floor managed to exit the building swiftly, whereas those on the upper floors were unable to do so.
French President Emmanuel Macron extended his condolences to the victims and their families, expressing gratitude towards the emergency services for their prompt response to this "tragedy."
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and Families Minister Aurore Berge have announced plans to visit Wintzenheim.
In a prior social media post, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin commended the courage displayed by the firefighters who responded, while also acknowledging that casualties were likely, despite the rapid action of the emergency services.
Photographs circulated in local media depicted the La Forge structure, an old barn converted into a three-storey holiday home, engulfed in flames early on Wednesday morning. Firefighters noted that two-thirds of the building was ablaze before they managed to bring the situation under control.