Europe

Apartment block in Italy collapses trapping up to seven people

News agency quoted witnesses saying there was no explosion before building collapsed

Rescuers at work amid the rubble of a building that collapsed in Torre Annunziata, near Naples, southern Italy. Photograph: EPA
Rescuers at work amid the rubble of a building that collapsed in Torre Annunziata, near Naples, southern Italy. Photograph: EPA
Fri Jul 07 2017 - 10:32

A five-storey apartment block has collapsed near the southern Italian city of Naples, and authorities are working to find anyone who may have been trapped.

Firefighters told Sky TG24 that six or seven people are believed to be buried in the rubble in the town of Torre Annunziata.

The news agency ANSA quoted witnesses as saying that there was no explosion before the collapse on Friday morning but that a train had just passed by on adjacent train tracks.

Rescuers work amid the rubble of the building that collapsed. Photograph: AP
Rescuers work amid the rubble of the building that collapsed. Photograph: AP
Rescuers at work amid the rubble of a building that collapsed in Torre Annunziata. Photograph: EPA
Rescuers at work amid the rubble of a building that collapsed in Torre Annunziata. Photograph: EPA

Images show the structure partially collapsed, revealing the interior of some apartments.

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Firefighters on long, retractable ladders were checking the stability of an adjacent building in the residential neighbourhood.

More to follow.