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Deadly explosions rock Freetown Deadly explosions rock Freetown
(41 minutes later)
Three huge explosions have rocked the centre of the Sierra Leone capital, Freetown, eyewitnesses say.Three huge explosions have rocked the centre of the Sierra Leone capital, Freetown, eyewitnesses say.
At least 17 bodies had been recovered, said the deputy head of the fire-fighting service.At least 17 bodies had been recovered, said the deputy head of the fire-fighting service.
Human body parts litter the road outside the building, while people are crying and wailing, says a BBC correspondent at the scene.Human body parts litter the road outside the building, while people are crying and wailing, says a BBC correspondent at the scene.
The blasts happened in a shop in Free Street, the heart of the capital. The cause is not yet clear.The blasts happened in a shop in Free Street, the heart of the capital. The cause is not yet clear.
Some reports suggest there may have been a gas leak.Some reports suggest there may have been a gas leak.
The area was full of people buying clothes for the holiday season.
The BBC's Umara Fofana says the metal doors on the ground floor of the four-storey building have been blown off.The BBC's Umara Fofana says the metal doors on the ground floor of the four-storey building have been blown off.
He says the building is still standing but there are several large cracks in the walls.He says the building is still standing but there are several large cracks in the walls.
Huge crowds have gathered outside the building, which is normally used as a clothes shop.
Our correspondent says there are also big crowds at the main government hospital, where previously closed wards have been opened up to cope with the extra casualties.Our correspondent says there are also big crowds at the main government hospital, where previously closed wards have been opened up to cope with the extra casualties.