Seven people have been killed in an explosion and subsequent fire in a building in the Pyrenees-Orientales department in southern France. At the same time, 2 people are said to be missing. Rescue teams have started relief work.
At least seven people have been killed in an explosion and subsequent fire in an apartment in southern France. These include 2 children. Officials said that two people are said to be missing after the incident, which is being searched. The fire started in a building in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France.
30 people injured
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmin went to the scene in the city of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque after the incident. He said that the blast took place at around two o’clock in the night. In this, at least 30 people have been injured or victims of mental trauma. 11 apartments have been affected by the fire that broke out after the blast. Dormanin tweeted his condolences to the families of the victims, saying it was a tragedy in reality.
The explosion took place on the ground floor of the building
Dormanin said emergency services have been pressed into service for relief and rescue operations. At the same time, local radio channel Blue Roussillon reported that the blast took place on the ground floor of the 2-storey building, where the grocery and sandwich bar was located. After this the fire spread to the neighboring buildings as well.
gas cylinder explosion
Perpignan prosecutor Jean-David Cavili said it was too early to say the cause of the blast, but the explosion was suspected to have been caused by a gas cylinder in the shop. At present, the matter is being investigated and the missing people are being traced.
