A powerful blast in Prague, the Czech republic capital, has injured dozens of people, while others may be trapped inside the building damaged by the blast, emergency officials said.
Monday’s incident, which appeared to have been caused by a natural gas explosion, tore through a building near the National Theatre and blew out windows in neighbouring establishments, said Tomas Hulan, a police spokesman.
“A gas blast seems to be the most likely cause. The explosion was rather massive and damaged windows in several streets,” Hulan said.
Zdenek Schwarz, head of the rescue service in Prague said 40 people were injured in the blast. It was not clear however, how many people were trapped in the building.
“There is an unknown number of injured and trapped people,” said Jirina Fikejzova, Prague emergency services spokeswoman.
The police had since sealed off the street covered with rubble, and also evacuated people from nearby buildings in order to close a wide area around the explosion site.
Witnesses said the blast blew out windows in Prague’s landmark Cafe Slavia, and was heard as far as Prague Castle about 1.6km away across the Vltava river.
