People seriously hurt in blast at residential building in Sweden
Swedish police say they have opened an investigation but have no suspects at the moment
28 September 2021 - 09:12
UPDATED 28 September 2021 - 10:34
byHelena Soderpalm and Johan Ahlander
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An emergency services crew works to evacuate people and put out fire as smoke comes out of windows after an explosion hit an apartment building in Annedal, central Gothenburg, Sweden September 28 2021. Picture: LARSSON ROSVALL/TT NEWS AGENCY/VIA REUTERS
Gothenburg — Four people were seriously hurt in an explosion and fire in a central residential area of the Swedish city of Gothenburg early on Tuesday.
The immediate cause of the blast and blaze was unclear. At least 16 people were taken to hospital after fire fighters pulled people out of a residential bloc from which smoke was billowing.
Three women and one man were treated for serious injuries, a Sahlgrenska University Hospital spokesperson said.
Swedish public services radio SR reported that an estimated 25 people had been taken to hospitals around Sweden's second largest city. Police said they had opened an investigation but could not give more details.
Emergency services said they were working to evacuate people and put out fires in the building. They ruled out a gas leak but refrained from speculating on the cause of the explosion.
Anja Almen, who lives in the building, said she heard a commotion from the street just after 5am — about 15 minutes after the explosion.
“I went out on the balcony and I was shocked. There was smoke everywhere, from every stairwell,” she said by phone from a nearby church to which she and other tenants were evacuated. “Fire trucks with ladders were pulling people from apartments.”
A spokesperson for the emergency services said several hundred people had been evacuated from the vicinity of the explosion and fire.
The Nordic country has contended with surging gang crime in recent years, with rival groups employing explosives and fire arms to settle scores.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
People seriously hurt in blast at residential building in Sweden
Swedish police say they have opened an investigation but have no suspects at the moment
Gothenburg — Four people were seriously hurt in an explosion and fire in a central residential area of the Swedish city of Gothenburg early on Tuesday.
The immediate cause of the blast and blaze was unclear. At least 16 people were taken to hospital after fire fighters pulled people out of a residential bloc from which smoke was billowing.
Three women and one man were treated for serious injuries, a Sahlgrenska University Hospital spokesperson said.
Swedish public services radio SR reported that an estimated 25 people had been taken to hospitals around Sweden's second largest city. Police said they had opened an investigation but could not give more details.
Emergency services said they were working to evacuate people and put out fires in the building. They ruled out a gas leak but refrained from speculating on the cause of the explosion.
Anja Almen, who lives in the building, said she heard a commotion from the street just after 5am — about 15 minutes after the explosion.
“I went out on the balcony and I was shocked. There was smoke everywhere, from every stairwell,” she said by phone from a nearby church to which she and other tenants were evacuated. “Fire trucks with ladders were pulling people from apartments.”
A spokesperson for the emergency services said several hundred people had been evacuated from the vicinity of the explosion and fire.
The Nordic country has contended with surging gang crime in recent years, with rival groups employing explosives and fire arms to settle scores.
Reuters
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