Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An explosion has injured 25, four seriously, and destroyed a building in the German city of Wuppertal.
Neighbours ran out into the street in a panic after the house was rocked by the blast shortly before midnight on Saturday.
Fire broke out as the house collapsed, leaving a gaping hole in the row of apartments and debris piled in the street and on top of a nearby car.
Four severely injured people were rescued and another 21 people were treated for injuries by emergency staff at the scene in the Langerfeld district.
Police said they were investigating the cause of the explosion and would not comment when asked if the explosion could possibly be terror-related.
“The work is made more difficult by the fact that the building is currently in acute danger of collapse,” said a police spokesman.
“How this came to pass and what the background is, that remains completely unclear.”
Search dogs were brought to the scene to look through the wreckage for survivors.
The fire department said later on Sunday morning that rescued residents had confirmed there was no one else in the house.
“Now that human rescue has been completed, we’re trying to keep the situation around the building stable,” said a fire department spokesman.
Specialists were brought in to systematically demolish the house because of the high risk of further collapse.
On Sunday evening investigators said they were consulting an expert on the causes of the fire and explosion but stated that no further information could be provided.
Five people remain in hospital including three with serious injuries, according to a police statement.
Authorities have brought in heavy equipment to tear down the remains of the ruin. They said it was too dangerous for investigators to search for evidence that might reveal the explosion’s cause because the destroyed building could collapse at any time.
Additional reporting by AP
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments