Thousands of people have reportedly been evacuated from their homes after at least two huge explosions rocked Romania.
One death has been confirmed – with dozens more people injured – after the blasts at a gas station. At least 26 firefighters were reportedly injured in the second blast at the town of Crevedia, around 30 kilometres (18 miles) northwest of Romania’s capital, Bucharest.
The explosions occurred at a fueling station that provides liquefied petroleum gas – a fuel used in household appliances and as a gasoline and diesel alternative in some vehicles. Romania’s health minister, Alexandru Rafila has said that at least one person had died.
The head of the Romanian directorate for emergency situations, Raed Arafat, said that residents had been evacuated from the area With a 750 meters (2,460 feet) cordon in place around the station. He said that one further LPG tank was still at risk of exploding.
Approximately 3,000 people have been evacuated from the area, reported The Mirror. Videos shared on social media show that the fire spread to an adjacent field. Several houses and vehicles were also damaged by the fire.
In a message on social media Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, wrote: “A new tragedy has rocked Romania this evening and
“I send my condolences to the grieving families and I wish a speedy recovery to those injured. At this moment, the zero priority is to provide those affected all the necessary support and to facilitate their access to emergency treatment.
“I am deeply saddened that the explosions in Crevedia resulted in casualties.
“I request the authorities to take urgent measures for the injured so that the tragedies of the past will not be repeated,” he concluded.
Romania’s health minister, Alexandru Rafila, told local media that one person had died. He said that several burns victims had also been transported to hospitals in Bucharest for treatment – with at least one of them having suffered “extensive” injuries. Local reports say several of the injured are undergoing surgery.
