Several people are missing after an explosion in a residential building in Sicily.
The Italian news agency Ansa reported that there were children among the twelve missing.
According to a report in the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera", a pregnant woman is also missing.
The house in Ravanusa in the province of Agrigento collapsed on Saturday evening, as the fire department announced.
Many rescuers are on duty to put out the flames and to check whether there are victims.
According to Ansa, a gas cylinder had exploded or gas leaked in the four-story house.
The videos showed flames and widespread debris.
Mayor asked neighboring towns for help
As reported by several Italian media, the mayor of Ravanusa Carmelo D'Angelo called on the neighboring towns in a live stream on Facebook to send additional fire engines.
Rescue workers from the fire brigade, civil defense, the Red Cross and the coast guard are already on site.
The explosion is said to have occurred around 8:30 p.m.
People from all over the neighborhood took to the streets out of fear after the bang, reports the daily newspaper »La Repubblica«.
According to the Corriere della Sera report, the Archbishop of Agrigento also commented on the events.
He expressed his "solidarity" with the community of Ravanusa and prayed that there would be no sacrifices.
col / dpa