VIDEO. “Extremely serious facts”: the mayor reacts to the arson attack that caused two deaths in a night grocery store in Montpellier

Informed in the middle of the night, Mayor Michaël Delafosse reacts to the announcement of two deaths in a night grocery store in the Pas du Loup district around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, October 7.

Alerted in the middle of the night of the tragedy that occurred on rue du Pas du Loup, on the night of Sunday 6 to Monday 7 October, the mayor of Montpellier Michaël Delafosse described the events as “extremely serious and tragic”. Two people were killed after an arson attack. "I don't understand how this grocery store was open all night long. I had taken a municipal order to close at 10 p.m. which was overturned by the Administrative Court. Which I regret." 

The suspect was seen on CCTV footage

The mayor recalled the role played by CCTV cameras. "A requisition of the tape was made by the public prosecutor to try to identify the perpetrator of these acts. He is actively being sought." A man was seen in front of the grocery store with a can of gasoline in his hand. 

Present at the inauguration of the raising of the dike at Grabels to protect against flooding, the mayor of Montpellier also reiterated his commitment alongside the prefect "faced with these establishments which pose many problems even if it is not a question of drawing hasty conclusions."