Nine killed in gas explosion in east Algeria

Nine people were killed and 16 others injured in a gas explosion in eastern Algeria which caused a three-storey building to collapse on Thursday, national television said.

Rescue workers were searching the rubble in the town of Bordj Bou Arreridj for possible victims or survivors, local authorities said, adding that neighbouring houses had been damaged.

The explosion, which occurred in the morning, "was caused by a gas leak", a local official said.

رحم الله موتى انفجار #برج_بوعريريج
وقد قالت الاخبار أنهم 05 وفيات و07 جرحى...

تقبلهم الله شهداء عنده في هذا الشهر الكريم ورحمهم برحمته الواسعة... ورحم كل من مات مظلوماً pic.twitter.com/yUSa4QwYNU

— محمد العربي زيتوت (@mohamedzitout) April 7, 2022

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sent a message of condolence to the bereaved families.

In February eight people, including three children, were killed by a gas explosion at a home in the neighbouring town of Setif.