At least three people have been killed and 13 others injured following a powerful explosion that tore through a residential building in Bucharest, Romania, on Friday. Authorities say the blast, which devastated multiple floors of the structure, was likely caused by a gas leak.
The explosion severely damaged two floors of the eight-storey block, leaving the building at risk of collapse. Emergency officials evacuated residents, along with pupils and teachers from a nearby high school in the southwest area of the capital.
Rescue teams continued to search the wreckage for survivors and confirmed that one person had been found trapped under rubble on the sixth floor.
“The most likely cause of the explosion is gas,” said Raed Arafat, head of Romania’s rescue services. “The building is at risk of collapse, which is why it is being completely evacuated by firefighters.”
Authorities have sealed off the surrounding area, citing safety concerns.
Residents described scenes of chaos and confusion as the explosion shook the neighbourhood. “I thought we were being bombed,” one witness said, while others initially feared an earthquake.
Two of the injured victims are reported to be in serious condition.
The blast also shattered windows at the nearby school, where several students sustained minor injuries. According to the Bucharest school inspectorate, the affected pupils “received medical attention at the school and were subsequently picked up by their parents.”
Emergency services remain at the scene as investigations continue into the exact cause of the explosion.
