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As it happenedended1687446393

Paris explosion: One person still feared buried in rubble after blast at fashion school injures dozens

Gas leak speculated as a possible cause of explosion

Oliver O'Connell,Shweta Sharma
Thursday 22 June 2023 16:06 BST
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Paris gas explosion: At least 24 injured

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One person is still missing and four are in critical condition after dozens were injured in a powerful explosion in a building in central Paris.

The explosion at around 4:55pm local time on Wednesday at the Paris American Academy on Rue Saint-Jacques left 37 people injured.

The blast sparked a fire that sent smoke soaring over the French capital’s monuments and prompted an evacuation of other properties, authorities said.

Officials are exploring a possible gas leak as the explosion but Paris police spokesperson Loubna Atta said it was too early to determine the source of the fire and could not confirm reports it was caused by a gas explosion.

Huge plumes of black smoke swelled into the air over the surrounding neighbourhood, but the fire was quickly brought under control.

“The explosion was extremely violent,” said Florence Berthout, mayor of the fifth arrondissement of the city, where the explosion happened.

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Rescuers search for person feared missing under rubble

French rescue workers are searching for a person feared missing in the rubble after a powerful blast ripped through a street in central Paris, injuring more than 30 people – four of them critically.

The blast started fires and caused the collapse of the facade of a building housing a design school. At least 37 people were injured,

Some of the four critically injured people suffered severe burns, said health minister Francois Braun. One person who was feared missing has been found.

Jane Dalton has the latest.

Rescuers search for person feared missing under rubble after Paris blast injures 37

Four people seriously after explosion in busy Latin Quarter

Oliver O'Connell22 June 2023 14:40

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