Powerful blast rocks central Prague

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

A large explosion has damaged a building in the centre of the Czech capital Prague, police say.

Initial reports suggested that some people may be trapped in the rubble. The area around the explosion in Divadelni St has been sealed off by police.

Spokespeople for the fire brigade said that there had been at least one injury from the blast.

It is not yet clear what caused the explosion.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22335019

[Franker65]

1. Gas explosion or something else?

Just walked past that area recently, hope things are not as bad as they sound.

[Hissyspit]

2. Police say likely a gas explosion:

@BreakingNews: Update: Up to 40 people injured in Prague explosion; police not certain of cause but say it was likely a natural gas explosion - @AP

[Berlin Expat]

3. Yeah, that's what

Last edited Mon Apr 29, 2013, 09:09 AM - Edit history (1)

it looks like. If you can understand Czech, you can watch live here: http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/zive-vysilani/

The footage I've seen looks like gas built up in the basement and found an ignition source. They talked to Metrostav, the premier construction company in Prague, and they're saying pretty much the same thing.

Sadly, a lot of the infrastructure here is pretty old, and combined with the somewhat lackadaisacal attitude about fixing things, it can be a recipe for disaster.

UPDATE: The Lord Mayor of Prague Bohuslav Svobodá confirmed at a press conference that it was a gas explosion, and not a terrorist attack. He took pains to emphasize that, presumably to calm people down and stamp out any speculation. The Czech media, in all fairness to them, have taken great pains themselves to avoid speculating until the facts are known.

[Dreamer Tatum]

4. There's a Tea Party there?

Wow. They get around.