Six months ago Mamoudou Gassama, 22, was back in his home country of Mali, dreaming of following in the footsteps of many of his countrymen to build a new life in Paris. Now, the undocumented immigrant is being hailed as a hero, and will today meet the President amid calls for him to receive his papers and be allowed to officially settle in France.
It all started on Saturday afternoon, as Mamoudou was walking home from the famous Gare du Nord railway station. He came across a panicked crowd of people, looking on with terror as a 4-year-old boy was dangling precariously from a balcony, four storeys up. Without a thought for his personal safety, Mamoudou leapt into action and began to climb the building with incredible ease, something which has earned him the nickname 'spiderman.'
Speaking to Le Parisien, Mamoudou explained what was going through his mind during his daring rescue. “I did not think of the floors, I did not think of the risk,” he said. “I did it because it's a child. I really like children.”
In addition to a personal 'merci' from President Macron, Mamoudou also received congratulations from the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, who posted on Twitter: “Congratulations to Mamoudou Gassama for his brave act that helped save a child's life last night. I had the pleasure to talk with him today by phone, to thank him warmly.”
It seems like Mamoudou's selfless act has endeared him to the French nation, and will go a long way toward helping him settle in the country. “He explained to me that he arrived from Mali a few months ago while dreaming of building his life here,” Hidalgo also explained. “I replied that his heroic gesture is 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.”
Scroll down to check out the amazing video for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!
This Malian man recently became the hero of the day
When he came across a panicked crowd of people, looking on with terror as a 4-year-old boy was dangling precariously from a balcony
Four storeys up
Mamoudou leapt into action and began to climb the building with incredible ease, something which has earned him the nickname 'spiderman'
“I did not think of the floors, I did not think of the risk”
“I did it because it's a child”
“I really like children”
His heroic act of bravery has endeared him to the French nation
Watch the whole video to see the crowd cheering him
After the video went viral, even the president wants to meet him
Update: Macron has since met Gassama and he retold the story to the president of how he saved the boy
Image credits: Getty Images
"I ran. I crossed the street to save him," he told Macron:
After the talk, Macron offered Gassama citizenship for his "heroic act" in saving this four-year-old
Image credits: Getty Images
People could not express their gratitude more
