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Building collapses in west Norway Building collapses in west Norway
(about 1 hour later)
A block of flats has collapsed in the west Norwegian coastal town of Alesund, injuring 15 people and leaving six others missing, police say. Five people are missing after a block of flats collapsed in the western Norwegian coastal town of Alesund, police say.
It is not known what caused the six-storey building to collapse in the town, 350km (220 miles) north-west of Oslo, but residents heard a large bang. Fifteen residents were evacuated from the modern six-storey block, and two are said to be slightly injured.
The building has been cordoned off and surrounding homes evacuated by the police because of fears of gas leaks. A fire broke out after the building collapsed in the town, 350km (220 miles) north-west of the capital Oslo.
The building is partially built into a steep mountainside and local media say it may have been caused by a landslide.
Rescue teams from around the region have been called to the scene.Rescue teams from around the region have been called to the scene.
Alesund Police Operations Leader Magne Tjoennnoe said about 20 people were believed to have been inside the relatively new block of flats in the town centre when the bottom floors caved in.Alesund Police Operations Leader Magne Tjoennnoe said about 20 people were believed to have been inside the relatively new block of flats in the town centre when the bottom floors caved in.
The building is partially built into a steep mountainside, and according to local media it may have been hit by a rock slide.
The collapse of the bottom floors have made it difficult for rescuers to get into the building to search for survivors, and they are using ladders and cranes.The collapse of the bottom floors have made it difficult for rescuers to get into the building to search for survivors, and they are using ladders and cranes.
Mr Tjoennnoe said 15 people had so far been taken to the town's hospital for treatment, "some with moderate injuries, some with minor ones". Mr Tjoennnoe said 15 people had so far been taken to the town's hospital, and two were "slightly injured, the others unharmed".
"We are trying to account for six other people," he told the Associated Press. "We are trying to account for other people," he told the Associated Press.
"We don't know where they are or whether they were in the building or elsewhere.""We don't know where they are or whether they were in the building or elsewhere."
He said all available police, rescue and fire resources had been mobilised.He said all available police, rescue and fire resources had been mobilised.
Television pictures showed firefighters spraying the building with high-pressure hoses, and a casualty being taken away on a stretcher.Television pictures showed firefighters spraying the building with high-pressure hoses, and a casualty being taken away on a stretcher.
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