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Several injured as building collapses after 'explosion' in Vienna

The cause of the blast in the Austrian capital is not yet known

Lizzie Dearden
Saturday 26 April 2014 21:29 BST
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Several people have been injured in an explosion in Vienna that destroyed part of a four-storey building.

Austrian police have not said what caused the blast on Saturday morning but feared several people were trapped inside.

Spokesman Adina Mircioane said rescuers were trying to reach one person and searching for others while five people were being treated for minor injuries.

According to the Vienna fire service, part of the roof collapsed and windows of the building in the capital’s 15th district were shattered.

A statement said firefighters were called to a “level three” emergency at 10.30am in Mariahilfer Strasse.

“There was an explosion of as yet unknown causes,” it added.

“A parked car in the street is partially buried under bricks and debris.”

A video from the scene shows huge clouds of grey smoke filling the street as people rush out of their houses away from the explosion.

Screams could be heard in the background as dust settled on cars in a busy shopping street.

It eventually cleared to show a huge hole ripped in the top two floors of the historical building.

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