Explosions Ignite Van Near French Prime Minister's Paris Office Amid Government Crisis

Explosions were heard near the French Prime Minister's official residence, the Hotel de Matignon, in central Paris, followed by a van catching fire just yards away. The incident occurred amid a government crisis, shortly after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned, marking the shortest tenure in French history at 26 days. Witnesses reported hearing three explosions before the fire erupted in a public works van, with emergency services containing the blaze to the vehicle without spreading to nearby buildings. Lecornu had been holding meetings at the Hotel de Matignon following his resignation and was scheduled to deliver a policy statement to the National Assembly. The cause of the explosions and fire remains unclear as authorities continue to investigate. The situation drew swift response from firefighters and police, highlighting heightened tensions in the French government amid the crisis.