New York City explosion: Body found in wreckage of buildings

Two people remain unaccounted for following the incident

An explosion in New York City has caused a 2nd Avenue building to collapse and another building is on fire, according to local reports (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

A body has been discovered in the rubble three days after an apparent gas explosion that levelled three buildings in lower Manhattan.

New York authorities say the body, which has not yet been identified, was found on Sunday afternoon.

Two people were unaccounted for following the incident: Nicholas Figueroa and Moises Lucon.

Mr Figueroa had been on date at a restaurant in one of three buildings that were levelled, while Mr Lucon was a worker there.

Officials say 22 people were injured in Thursday's blast.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said someone may have improperly tapped a gas line before the explosion, but he added that officials need to access the wreckage to investigate further.

PA