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Rosario: Blast rocks Argentine apartment block Argentina blast hits apartment block in Rosario
(about 7 hours later)
A powerful blast in a residential building in the Argentine city of Rosario has killed at least five people and injured more than 50 others. A powerful blast in a residential building in the Argentine city of Rosario has killed at least eight people and injured more than 60 others.
Emergency teams have been trying to put out a fire and rescue the people who remain trapped in the upper floors. Emergency teams are still trying to rescue people who remain trapped in the upper floors.
Rescue teams say there is a risk of the apartment block collapsing. Nearby buildings have also been affected.Rescue teams say there is a risk of the apartment block collapsing. Nearby buildings have also been affected.
The explosion was probably caused by a gas leak in the building's heating system, local authorities said. The explosion was caused by a gas leak in the heating system, Rosario city mayor Monica Fein said.
"We have 51 people injured and five confirmed deaths," said Santa Fe province Health Minister Miguel Cappiello. "The whole front wing of the [10-storey] building collapsed with the impact," Rosario Civil Defence Director Raul Rainone told the Clarin newspaper.
One of the victims is reported to be a 21-year-old woman. More than 50 apartments have been totally destroyed in two adjacent blocks.
Rescue personnel are digging through the rubble to try to find survivors.
'Falling ceiling''Falling ceiling'
Witnesses say the blast could be heard several kilometres away. The explosion happened just before 1000 local time. Witnesses say the blast could be heard several kilometres away. The explosion happened just before 10:00 local time.
"I was in the bath when the explosion took place and the ceiling fell over my head. I have lost everything," a fifth floor resident identified only as Evangelina told La Nacion newspaper."I was in the bath when the explosion took place and the ceiling fell over my head. I have lost everything," a fifth floor resident identified only as Evangelina told La Nacion newspaper.
The 10-storey building's facade was ripped off by the blast. She said the accident in the Salta street apartment block may well be linked to problems with the gas system.
Evangelina said the accident in the Salta street apartment block may well be linked to problems with the gas system. "Two weekends ago, someone tried to rob the gas meter. A gas engineer was due to come to fix it today, so we were informed the gas was going to be cut off between 09:00 and 14:00."
"Two weekends ago, someone tried to rob the gas meter. A gas engineer was due to come to fix it today, so we were informed the gas was going to be cut off between 0900 and 1400. Santa Fe provincial governor Antonio Bonfatti has visited the affected area in Rosario's city centre with Argentine Security Secretary Sergio Berni and Defence Secretary Agustin Rossi.
"The huge explosion which destroyed one of the sides of the building happened at 0945." "This is the time to make a proper assessment so we can take a decision. Someone must be accountable for this," said Mr Bonfatti.
Rosario city mayor Monica Fein is visiting the area affected. Via her Twitter feed, she asked residents to avoid approaching the zone so the rescue teams could carry on with their work. He described the accident as "a black page in the city's history".
Rosario - the birthplace of Barcelona football star Lionel Messi - is Argentina's third largest city, after Buenos Aires and Cordoba.Rosario - the birthplace of Barcelona football star Lionel Messi - is Argentina's third largest city, after Buenos Aires and Cordoba.