An explosion rocked Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, this morning just before 10 a.m., leaving at least 40 people injured. It is believed that a gas explosion was the cause.
CNN reports that the blast occurred near the Film and TV School of Academy of Performing Arts and several buildings in the area, including the National Theatre, have been evacuated. Fire department spokeswoman Pavlina Adamcova said that up to 55 were injured. However, police officer Kamil Konečný told The Prague Post that at least one person is feared dead and “a few people are buried in the rubble.”
According to The Guardian, the blast damaged buildings, breaking windows and forcing an area of the city to be closed off. “There was glass everywhere and people shouting and crying,” student Vaclav Rokyta told the AP.
Prime Minister Petr Necas said that he was “deeply hit by the tragedy of the gas explosion” in a statement.
Police and rescuers are still searching rubble for the injured. Two to three people are still missing, according to the Guardian.