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At least 2 deaths confirmed after huge blast rocks Madrid, footage shows smoke and debris-littered streets At least 3 deaths confirmed after huge blast rocks Madrid, footage shows smoke and debris-littered streets
(about 1 hour later)
An explosion struck central Madrid on Wednesday, killing at least two people, with dramatic images from the scene showing a building ripped apart and debris covering the street below. The cause of the blast is not yet known. An explosion struck central Madrid on Wednesday, killing at least three people, with dramatic images from the scene showing a building ripped apart and debris covering the street below.
The city's mayor has confirmed that two people died and several more were injured in the blast. A priest is reportedly trapped in one of the stricken buildings, according to local reports, and firefighters are working to reach him. José Manuel Franco, the socialist PSOE party leader in Madrid, confirmed that the explosion was caused by a gas leak and that three people had died, including an 85-year-old woman who had been walking down the street at the time. He said one person remained unaccounted for.
Photos and videos filmed by shocked onlookers show cars destroyed by the blast and smoke billowing from the upper floor of a building. The incident occurred shortly before 3pm local time.Photos and videos filmed by shocked onlookers show cars destroyed by the blast and smoke billowing from the upper floor of a building. The incident occurred shortly before 3pm local time.
A local journalist said a “terrible” explosion had occurred in Calle Toledo, a street in a downtown area of the Spanish capital. The street has been cordoned off by first responders.A local journalist said a “terrible” explosion had occurred in Calle Toledo, a street in a downtown area of the Spanish capital. The street has been cordoned off by first responders.
A spokesperson for the City Council of Madrid confirmed that firefighters, police and civil protection units are responding to the incident. Eight crews of firefighters have been dispatched to the area, according to local news site, TeleMadrid.A spokesperson for the City Council of Madrid confirmed that firefighters, police and civil protection units are responding to the incident. Eight crews of firefighters have been dispatched to the area, according to local news site, TeleMadrid.
A school is reported to have been badly damaged by the explosion, and the smoke seen in videos filmed on the street is said to be coming from a nursing home next door to the building where the blast took place.A school is reported to have been badly damaged by the explosion, and the smoke seen in videos filmed on the street is said to be coming from a nursing home next door to the building where the blast took place.
The cause of the blast is currently unclear, though unconfirmed reports suggest it was due to a gas leak, and it is not known if there are any casualties. The building worst affected by the explosion reportedly belongs to the Catholic archbishop of Madrid. The building worst affected by the explosion reportedly belongs to the Catholic archbishop of Madrid.
Local residents, including a number of elderly people from the nursing home, are being evacuated from the area, with police reportedly advising people to leave in case there are further explosions.Local residents, including a number of elderly people from the nursing home, are being evacuated from the area, with police reportedly advising people to leave in case there are further explosions.
The site of the explosion is not far from Puerta de Toledo, one of the city’s gates and a popular tourist attraction.The site of the explosion is not far from Puerta de Toledo, one of the city’s gates and a popular tourist attraction.
In a statement, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the explosion as “terrible,” adding that he hoped it would not result in victims to mourn.In a statement, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the explosion as “terrible,” adding that he hoped it would not result in victims to mourn.
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