Explosion in Prague damages buildings

At least 40 people have been injured and many are trapped under rubble after a large explosion destroyed a building in Prague.

Rescue workers are frantically searching for those buried under debris but no deaths have been reported as of yet.

Police have said that the explosion, which occurred at around 10 am today, was probably caused by a gas leak.

The blast was reportedly heard in the area around Prague’s National Theatre, up to a mile from where the explosion took place on Divadelni Street. Other buildings in close proximity were damaged and windows of buildings up to 100 metres away were shattered.

Some windows of the National Theatre were blown out by the explosion. Streets were filled with rubble and dust and many of those injured were hit by glass and other debris.

People with face and torso injuries caused by flying glass were treated on the streets.

Police closed off the street and sealed a perimeter around the explosion site. Around 220 people from nearby buildings had to be evacuated.

At the time of the explosion there were thought to be 15 people in the building which housed offices and an art gallery. Of the dozens injured, four are said to be in a serious condition.

Zoe Field