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Bordeaux: fire service after explosion
Photo:
MEHDI FEDOUACH / AFP
A violent explosion in a car repair shop shook the French city of Bordeaux that morning.
A person was still missing under the rubble at noon and an 89-year-old man was seriously injured, as the responsible prefecture announced.
Other people suffered minor injuries and shock.
The explosion occurred around 8 a.m. in the Chartrons district near the center.
According to initial findings, it was caused by a breakdown in the workshop, so gas could have triggered the accident.
The exact cause has yet to be clarified, said Delphine Balsa from the responsible prefecture.
A smaller building reportedly collapsed and other adjacent buildings were badly damaged.
"My whole house shook."
local residents
Initially, two people were missing under the rubble.
According to initial findings, it should be a car mechanic and the 89-year-old's companion.
The person who has since been found is reportedly the auto mechanic.
“It woke me up.
My whole house shook and I live about 300 meters away, ”the newspaper“ Sud Ouest ”quoted a local resident.
Another resident reported on TV that there was total silence for a moment after the bang.
Shattered window panes could be seen in pictures.
The fire brigade was on site with a large contingent and cordoned off the affected street.
Search dogs were also used.
The police called on residents on Twitter to respect the barriers.
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wit / dpa