At least 7 seriously injured – Gas explosion in the center of Paris Study: 5G mobile communication grows faster than expected in Western Europe

Several buildings in central Paris caught fire after a gas explosion. The fire brigade called on the population to stay away from the scene of the fire near the Jardin du Luxembourg in the fifth arrondissement and to allow rescuers to intervene quickly.

As announced by City Councilor Édouard Civel, there was a gas explosion on Place Alphonse Laveran on Wednesday. Several buildings were on fire. Video footage from the newspaper “Le Parisien” showed a collapsed, burning building. The broadcaster BFMTV initially spoke of at least seven seriously injured.

There may still be victims under the rubble

According to Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, the explosion caused several serious and some minor injuries. The number of victims cannot yet be quantified, Borne said on Wednesday evening. The fire spread from the affected building to neighboring homes. As various media reported with reference to the police, a total of 16 people were injured. Other victims may still be under the rubble. According to broadcaster BFMTV, 230 firefighters are on the scene. You have set up a crisis center, said Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

Meanwhile, authorities said it is not yet possible to say for sure what caused the explosion. The fire is now under control, the fire service reported in the evening. (lst/sda/dpa)

update follows…