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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Argentina blast hits apartment block in Rosario | Argentina blast hits apartment block in Rosario |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A powerful blast in a residential building in the Argentine city of Rosario has killed at least 12 people and injured more than 60 others. | |
| At least 15 people are said to be still missing as emergency teams search the rubble for survivors. | |
| Rescue teams say there is a risk of the apartment block collapsing. Nearby buildings have also been affected. | Rescue teams say there is a risk of the apartment block collapsing. Nearby buildings have also been affected. |
| The explosion was caused by a gas leak in the heating system, Rosario city mayor Monica Fein said. | The explosion was caused by a gas leak in the heating system, Rosario city mayor Monica Fein said. |
| "The whole front wing of the [10-storey] building collapsed with the impact," Rosario Civil Defence Director Raul Rainone told the Clarin newspaper. | "The whole front wing of the [10-storey] building collapsed with the impact," Rosario Civil Defence Director Raul Rainone told the Clarin newspaper. |
| More than 50 apartments have been totally destroyed in two adjacent blocks. | More than 50 apartments have been totally destroyed in two adjacent blocks. |
| Fire crews rescued dozens of residents from balconies and upper floors. | |
| 'Falling ceiling' | 'Falling ceiling' |
| Witnesses say the blast could be heard several kilometres away and police closed buildings and schools in a five-block radius. | |
| The explosion happened just before 10:00 local time. | |
| "I was in the bath when the explosion took place and the ceiling fell over my head. I have lost everything," a fifth floor resident identified only as Evangelina told La Nacion newspaper. | "I was in the bath when the explosion took place and the ceiling fell over my head. I have lost everything," a fifth floor resident identified only as Evangelina told La Nacion newspaper. |
| She said the accident in the Salta street apartment block may well be linked to problems with the gas system. | She said the accident in the Salta street apartment block may well be linked to problems with the gas system. |
| "Two weekends ago, someone tried to rob the gas meter. A gas engineer was due to come to fix it today, so we were informed the gas was going to be cut off between 09:00 and 14:00." | "Two weekends ago, someone tried to rob the gas meter. A gas engineer was due to come to fix it today, so we were informed the gas was going to be cut off between 09:00 and 14:00." |
| Santa Fe provincial governor Antonio Bonfatti visited the affected area in Rosario's city centre with Argentine Security Secretary Sergio Berni and Defence Secretary Agustin Rossi. | |
| Mr Bonfatti said an official inquiry, headed by a judge, had been launched. | |
| "This is the time to make a proper assessment so we can take a decision. Someone must be accountable for this." | |
| He described the accident as "a black page in the city's history". | He described the accident as "a black page in the city's history". |
| Rosario - the birthplace of Barcelona football star Lionel Messi - is Argentina's third largest city, after Buenos Aires and Cordoba. | Rosario - the birthplace of Barcelona football star Lionel Messi - is Argentina's third largest city, after Buenos Aires and Cordoba. |
| Messi sent his condolences through his foundation. | |
| "Sending strength and lots of energy to the family members of the victims of today's regrettable tragedy," he wrote. |