Mali Spiderman rescues boy dangling from Paris balcony
Mamoudou Gassama, from Mali, displays a certificate of courage as he leaves the presidential Elysee Palace after his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Gassama was promised employment and citizenship for scaling an apartment building over the weekend to save a four-year-old child dangling from a fifth-floor balcony.
PARIS (Reuters) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday praised the heroism of a Malian immigrant who scaled the facade of a four-story building in the north of capital to save a child hanging from a ledge, saying the city will support his effort to settle in France.
“All of Mamoudou Gassama’s documents will be put in order,” Macron told reporters during a press conference, referring to Gassama’s immigration status.
Gassama will also be offered a job in the fire brigade.
The video of real-life Spider-Man Gassama’s quick climbing to reach the child, cheered on by terrified onlookers, went viral on social media.
Gassama dragged the boy to safety, as his parents, separated from him by a barrier between two balconies, looked on in relief.
“Congratulations to Mamoudou Gassama for his act of bravery that saved the life of a child,” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said on her official Twitter account.
Hidalgo said Gassama, 22, told her that he arrived from Mali a few months ago and wished to stay in France.
“Gassama’s heroic gesture was an example for all citizens and that the City of Paris will obviously be keen to support him in his efforts to settle in France,” Hidalgo said.
Le Parisien newspaper reported that Gassama was walking by when he saw a gathering in front of the building and leapt into action.
“I did it because it was a child,” the paper quoted him saying. “I climbed … Thank God I saved him.”