Czech emergency workers were last night searching for anyone trapped in the rubble of a building in the historic heart of Prague after a suspected gas explosion injured 35 people.
The blast yesterday morning shattered windows in nearby buildings, including the Czech national theatre, and forced more than 200 people to evacuate homes and offices due to fears there would be more explosions or the building where the blast occurred would collapse.
Paramedics gave first aid to people who staggered from the shattered building covered in blood and dust, many having suffered cuts from flying glass. Two people were reported to be in a serious condition.
Sniffer dogs were being used to find anyone trapped in the wreckage of the building on Divadelni Street, which is just around the corner from the landmark Slavia cafe and the picturesque embankment of the Vltava River.
Tourist attractions
The huge blast was heard at many of Prague's main tourist attractions, including Charles Bridge and Prague Castle on the other side of the Vltava. Czech officials said six foreigners, from Germany, Portugal, Slovakia and Kazakhstan, were among the injured.
“According to all available information it was a gas explosion, it wasn’t a terrorist attack,” said Prague mayor Bohuslav Svoboda. “It was a very powerful explosion that left 35 people injured but there were no fatalities reported.” Michal Stefula, a security guard, said there was a strong smell of gas after the explosion. “I was one of the first three people on the site to help about seven injured people out of the building, including one construction worker who told me more of his colleagues were trapped in the basement,” he said. Czech prime minister Petr Necas said he was “deeply affected by the tragedy”.