A powerful explosion occurred in a building in the Rahova neighborhood of Bucharest.
Three people have died and several others have been injured. The number of victims could increase.
The eight-story building is severely affected, with the most damage to apartments on the 5th and 6th floors at the corner of the building. It is at risk of collapsing and has been evacuated by firefighters. People are not allowed to enter the building to retrieve their belongings as it is considered very dangerous.
The Theoretical High School "Dimitrie Bolintineanu," located nearby, was also affected by the explosion and has been evacuated. Due to the force of the explosion, windows in some classrooms were shattered, pieces of plaster fell, and benches, tables, and carpentry elements were damaged.
Search and rescue teams have been formed within the Bucharest-Ilfov Emergency Situations Inspectorate.
Spotmedia presents the latest information on the explosion:
- Interim General Mayor Stelian Bujduveanu announced that an emergency meeting was convened on Friday. "We can assure that all those affected will have a place to stay this evening and in the coming period. We will meet several times throughout the day to address the needs and have the resources available. The Capital City Hall will convene an emergency general council meeting today at 14:00 to adopt those changes and regulations to make available whatever these families need," said Stelian Bujduveanu.
- Three people have died as a result of the explosion. The Head of the Emergency Situations Department, Raed Arafat, announced that another deceased person was found under the rubble. USISU Ciolpani reported that it was a woman found on the 6th floor under a concrete slab.
- Minister of Health, Alexandru Rogobete, announced that 13 patients have been transferred to healthcare units, including two children aged 12 and 17 among the victims. He specified that most patients are in critical condition.
- The building where the explosion occurred is at risk of collapsing. "The building is at risk of collapse, it has been completely evacuated, and no one will be allowed to enter to retrieve materials, documents, or belongings," said the head of DSU, Raed Arafat.
- Two majore hospitals have activated the white plan, calling in doctors who are off duty.
- The number of injured has increased. Thirteen victims have been transported to the following hospitals: University, Grigore Alexandrescu, Floreasca, Matei Balș, Military, and Bagdasar, according to the Ministry of Health. A 63-year-old man with polytrauma and chest and head injuries was taken to Floreasca Hospital and immediately underwent surgery. Also, a 56-year-old woman with lumbar trauma arrived there, and an 86-year-old man is on his way with suspected femur fracture. A 56-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman with burns were taken to Bagdasar Hospital, with the woman being intubated.
- Among the explosion victims is a child who was taken to Grigore Alexandrescu Hospital and is in serious condition. They are currently being evaluated by doctors.
- The"Dimitrie Bolintineanu" High School was affected by the explosion, with several windows shattered due to the blast. According to IGSU, students and teachers were evacuated. Images from the Bolintineanu High School show that due to the force of the explosion, windows in some classrooms were shattered, pieces of plaster fell, and benches, tables, or carpentry elements were damaged. A girl was scratched on the face by the shattered glass from the violent explosion and was transported to "Marie Curie" Hospital in Sector 4 of the Capital.
- A crisis cell has been set up at the Ministry of Health for integrated coordination with the Emergency Situations Department - Ministry of Internal Affairs and the managers of emergency hospitals following the explosion.
- The canine search and rescue team has been alerted. A drone has also been sent to facilitate the identification of potential victims.
- Another nearby residential building was affected by the explosion. "Following the explosion, another nearby residential building was affected, where detachments of construction elements from the building facade are observed," announced ISU Bucharest-Ilfov.
- According to information provided by the SMURD Dispatch, nine victims have been transported to emergency hospitals in Bucharest with polytrauma, and 2 victims have been declared deceased.
- Interim Mayor of Bucharest, Stelian Bujduveanu, stated that PMB has emergency housing that can be made available to those affected by the explosion. "In the event that these apartments are not sufficient, we have the possibility to pay rent in the open market to accommodate people," Bujduveanu emphasized.
- The Prefect of Bucharest, Andrei Nistor, told Digi24 that "everyone is on standby. People are being searched for. The situation looks quite difficult, obviously, but the authorities are doing their job." Nistor mentioned that there was "an accumulation of gas and an explosion following this gas accumulation."
- Students and teachers from Bolintineanu High School, which is nearby, are to be evacuated, as recommended by ISU. Parents have been called to pick up their children. According to initial information, there are no casualties among the students or teachers.
- According to DSU chief Raed Arafat, two people have died, and nine others are injured. Search and rescue operations continue.
- The explosion was not followed by a fire. Authorities have activated the red intervention plan.
- The explosion was most likely caused by a gas accumulation. Residents reported smelling gas yesterday, and gas was, in fact, turned off at the time of the explosion. Pieces of the building broke off due to the explosion and fell near the building.
- According to initial information, the area has been evacuated, and a safety perimeter has been established. Dozens of residents have been evacuated from their homes, as well as students and teachers from Dimitrie Bolintineanu High School.
- Traffic has been restricted on Calea Rahovei, from Petre Ispirescu to the exit towards Rond Alexandria, as well as on Buzoieni Street towards Calea Rahovei.