More than 10 people were injured in an explosion that ripped through three adjacent homes in the Belgian port city of Antwerp on Monday evening, 15 January. The local Antwerp police have ruled out any possibility of a terror attack, BBC reported. It is likely to be a gas explosion, The Independent reported. The local media reports claim that the three buildings were damaged following a blast at an Italian restaurant in the Paardenmarkt area, which is a student-dominated area.
Three people were rescued from the rubble, including a child, BBC reported. Antwerp police spokesman Wouter Bruyns told VRT network: "There are about 10, a maximum 20 casualties, fortunately including many slightly injured."
Most of the injuries reported were slight, the Antwerp police said in a statement issued on Monday. Three other buildings were also damaged in the explosion.
Emergency service workers were seen inspecting the collapsed buildings.
According to the Independent.co.uk, local resident Brett Buelens told VTM Nieuws: "I heard people calling from under the rubble."
Bart De Wever, mayor of Antwerp, thanked the rescue workers for the operation and offered condolences: "My thoughts are with the victims and their families," the report added.
Belgium has been on high alert since 2016’s suicide bombings and terror attacks foiled across Europe.
(With inputs from BBC, Independent.co.uk)
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