Blast causes partial building collapse in Vienna

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Blast causes partial building collapse in Vienna

Apparent explosion cause part of building to collapse in Vienna, with five people treated for minor injuries and with emergency services working to free another trapped by debris

PUBLISHED : Saturday, 26 April, 2014, 8:37pm
UPDATED : Saturday, 26 April, 2014, 8:37pm

Associated Press in Vienna

Firefighters and police at a building damaged by an explosion in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday. Photo: AP

At least six people were injured on Saturday after an apparent explosion destroyed part of a building in the Austrian capital.

Five people were treated for minor injuries and rescuers were trying to reach one injured person inside the residential building in Vienna’s 15th district, said police spokeswoman Adina Mircioane.

“We are also bringing in sniffer dogs to search for other people who might be trapped inside,” Mircioane said, adding that the cause of the explosion wasn’t yet known.

Witnesses said they heard a dull thud before the top two floors of the building collapsed, raining debris onto the street shortly after 10am local time on Saturday.

“There was a cloud of dust, and lots of people screaming and running,” said Ted Knops, a 32-year-old local resident. “It was like a science-fiction movie when something comes bursting through the wall.”

A video taken by Knops showed a vast plume of dust enveloping the street moments after the incident. The video was reviewed by reporters and along with Knops’ description appeared consistent with the police account.