37 injured in explosion at apartment building in Paris

By Esra Taskin

PARIS (AA) - At least 37 people were injured when a powerful explosion tore through an apartment building Wednesday in central Paris, according to the country's interior minister.

Speaking to reporters at the scene of the blast in the city’s fifth arrondissement, Gerald Darmanin said four of the injured were in critical condition.

He said two others were thought to be missing in the rubble.

“It's possible that we will find bodies tonight, or we will find them alive,” he added.

Édouard Civel, first deputy mayor of the 5th arrondissement, said the blast may have been caused by a gas explosion.

Darmanin acknowledged that there was no prior warning before the blast and its cause remains unknown.

French President Emmanuel Macron said his thoughts were with the wounded and those missing.

Gas supply in the neighborhood where the explosion occurred has reportedly been completely shut off.

*Writing by Servet Gunerigok