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Deadly explosions rock Freetown Deadly explosions rock Freetown
(19 minutes later)
Three huge explosions have rocked the centre of the Sierra Leone capital, Freetown, eyewitnesses say.Three huge explosions have rocked the centre of the Sierra Leone capital, Freetown, eyewitnesses say.
At least 17 bodies had been recovered, said the deputy head of the fire-fighting service.At least 17 bodies had been recovered, said the deputy head of the fire-fighting service.
Human body parts litter the road outside the building, while people are crying and wailing, says a BBC correspondent at the scene.Human body parts litter the road outside the building, while people are crying and wailing, says a BBC correspondent at the scene.
The blasts happened in a shop in Free Street, the heart of the capital. The cause is not yet clear.The blasts happened in a shop in Free Street, the heart of the capital. The cause is not yet clear.
Some reports suggest there may have been a gas leak.Some reports suggest there may have been a gas leak.
Doctors at the main hospital say they are struggling to cope with the number of wounded.
The BBC's Umaru Fofana says previously closed wards have been opened because of the large numbers of casualties.
Many people are still trapped inside the four-storey building, which has been badly damaged.
The area was full of people buying clothes for the holiday season.The area was full of people buying clothes for the holiday season.
The BBC's Umara Fofana says the metal doors on the ground floor of the four-storey building have been blown off.
He says the building is still standing but there are several large cracks in the walls.
Our correspondent says there are also big crowds at the main government hospital, where previously closed wards have been opened up to cope with the extra casualties.