In 2018, an undocumented migrant scaled a Paris apartment building to save a four-year-old boy hanging from a fourth-floor balcony, earning the nickname ‘Spider-Man of Paris’ | World News

On a quiet Saturday evening in May 2018, walking through a street in Paris, Mamadou Gassama, a 22-year-old individual from Africa, noticed a crowd gathered beneath a residential building where a four-year-old child hung from a fourth-floor balcony. He quickly climbed the exterior of the building and rescued the boy to safety within no time. This act of physical prowess earned him the nickname ‘Spiderman’ of Paris.Mamadou’s life covered a difficult path long before he became a national hero in France. Born in Mali, he embarked on a challenging journey to Europe in 2013, navigating the Sahara Desert and surviving brutal conditions in Libya. After crossing the Mediterranean and spending several years in Italy, he arrived in Paris in September 2017 to join his brother. As an undocumented migrant, he lived an uncertain, quiet life in a hostel in Montreuil, working construction jobs while avoiding the authorities.

What happened in front of Mamadou’s eyes during the incident in Paris

According to BBC, the incident occurred on 26 May 2018, while Gassama was going to watch a football match. As he was walking, he noticed a large crowd gathered at a residential building. They were shouting for a small boy who was hanging from the edge of a fourth-floor balcony.The traffic was also jammed as people watched the incident unfold. A neighbour in an adjacent apartment was trying to reach the boy, but they were unable to pull him. In an interview, Gassama stated that he didn’t think about his own safety, and acted immediately to prevent a tragedy.

How did Mamadou managed such a risky climb on the building

Gassama reached the lowest balcony and used it as a platform to leap upwards. Without falling back, he managed to grab the edge of the next balcony and repeated this process for every floor. The crowd cheered for him, shouting ‘Allez, vas-y, vite!’ which translates to ‘Go, go, fast!’He pulled the boy up with one hand and brought him to the safe side of the balcony. The crowd below applauded as the child was finally out of danger. It was this quick climb that earned him the nickname ‘Spider-Man of Paris.’

Image Credit: AFP Archives

How did the French government reward his bravery

French President Emmanuel Macron took the unusual step of inviting Gassama to the Élysée Palace. During this meeting, the President personally thanked him for his courage and presented him with a medal for bravery.However, the most significant reward was the change to his legal status. Because Gassama had been living in France without official papers, the President announced that he would be made a naturalised citizen. Furthermore, he was given an internship with the Paris firefighters, which allowed him to put his natural physical talents to use in a formal, life-saving role.

Image Credit: AFP Archives

What were the consequences for the boy’s parents

While Gassama was being hailed as a hero, questions were raised regarding how a four-year-old child ended up in such a dangerous position. The boy’s father was not at home during the incident because he had gone out shopping. Surprisingly, it emerged that the father had decided to return home late so he could play the mobile game Pokémon Go.The boy’s mother was not in Paris at the time. Consequently, the father faced legal action for his lack of supervision. The father was convicted in September 2018 of neglecting his responsibilities. His sentence included a course designed to help him become a better parent. The child and the father have remained publicly unidentified to protect their privacy from the media.

What happened to Mamadou’s life after the media publicity

In June 2018, he travelled to Los Angeles to receive a humanitarian prize at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards, appearing alongside major stars like Beyonce. Gassama returned to Mali later that month at the invitation of the Malian president. This was a deeply emotional trip, as he saw his father for the first time since he had migrated to Europe as a fifteen-year-old in 2011.By December 2018, Gassama had officially started his part-time role with the Paris firefighters. He was making good progress in the job and had been taking French lessons to help with his integration. His new legal status also allowed him to move out of the migrant hostel and rent his own apartment.