No less than three individuals have died and 6 are nonetheless lacking after two buildings collapsed in Sicily following a gasoline explosion.
The captain of the native firefighters, Giuseppe Merendino, confirmed the fatalities and stated two individuals had been discovered alive below rubble after the blast within the city of Ravanusa, Sicily, at about 8.30pm native time yesterday.
Nevertheless, he added firefighters have been nonetheless on the lookout for the lacking individuals, together with two kids and a younger couple who’re anticipating a child.
Footage from the scene confirmed large piles of rubble scattered on roads and over vehicles, with the broken constructing nonetheless alight as firefighters carried out the search.
Flames and smoke have been seen rising from the collapsed buildings
Firefighters have been seen inspecting a gasoline pipe following the explosion
Filippo Barbera, a priest who was celebrating mass close by on Saturday night, stated the homes caught hearth when a pure gasoline pipe exploded.
He stated: “It’s a large tragedy… Let’s pray to ask God to keep away from extra deaths.”
About 250 rescuers, together with civil safety volunteers, joined the search effort.
In addition they introduced sniffer canine and overhead drones to assist discover individuals below the rubble.
Rescue employees managed to include the fireplace triggered by the explosion at about 11.15pm.
Photographs from the scene confirmed rubble masking vehicles and streets
Salvo Cocina, the pinnacle of Sicily’s civil safety unit DRPC, stated an aged lady was amongst these rescued from the rubble of one of many buildings.
She had been taken to a hospital within the close by metropolis of Licata, after she suffered minor accidents together with some fractures, he stated.
One other lady, who’s believed to be her sister, was additionally pulled out of one of many collapsed buildings.
Ravanusa has a inhabitants of 11,000 individuals and is close to Agrigento, a metropolis within the southwest of the island well-known for its Greek temples.
