Mamoudou Gassama, the Paris “Spiderman” who scaled four floors of an apartment block to rescue a child dangling from a balcony, has begun his new role in the Paris fire service.
Gassama, who reportedly began work yesterday after completing initial training, is pictured in the centre of the back row:
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The civic service scheme allows young people aged 18 to 25 to spend 10 months working full-time at a fire station, receiving a monthly stipend of around €600.
It is not yet known whether Gassama intends to pursue training to become a full-time firefighter after finishing his placement at the Champerret fire station in the 17th arrondissement.
Gassama became a viral superstar in May when he was filmed clambering up the side of the building to bring a four-year-old boy to safety.
His feat of courage and acrobatic skill transformed him overnight from undocumented migrant sleeping on floors to national hero, feted by the president at the Elysee Palace.
Emmanuel Macron presented Gassama with a certificate and medal commemorating his bravery - but, even more important to the unemployed young immigrant, a promise of French citizenship and a role in the fire brigade.
Gassama has kept a low public profile since the heroic rescue, shunning invites to appear on television.
However, speaking to a CNN reporter as he was being shown around his new workplace at the end of May, he said he felt “really good” about his placement. “I’ve seen a lot that really interests me,” he said.
Meanwhile, the father of the four-year-old boy at the heart of the drama is set to stand trial in September on charges of neglecting his parental responsibilities. He faces a maximum sentences of two years in prison.
-
President Trump: ‘waging war’ on ChicagoTalking Point Federal agents are carrying out ‘increasingly aggressive’ immigration raids – but have sanctuary cities like Chicago brought it on themselves?
-
Crossword: October 18, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Codeword: October 18, 2025The Week's daily codeword puzzle
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Prime minister shocks France with resignationSpeed Read French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu submitted his government’s resignation after less than a month in office
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
The France-Indonesia push for an Israeli-Palestinian two-state solutionTalking Points Both countries have said a two-state solution is the way to end the Middle East conflict
