Mamoudou Gassama, an immigrant from Mali, had been in the neighbourhood to watch football when he saw the child. He quickly climbed up the facade of the building and pulled the child to safety. The video showed him being cheered on by spectators as he pulled himself from balcony to balcony to the fourth floor.
After meeting Mamoudou Gassama at the Elysee Palace, President, Emmanuel Macron, said he would be made a naturalised citizen. He personally thanked Mr Gassama, gave him a medal for courage and said he would also be offered a role in the fire service.
Mr Gassama said he had been walking past when he saw a crowd gathered in front of the building. He tells Mr Macron: “I just didn’t have time to think, I ran across the road to go and save him.”
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