Gas leak, 14 injured in Catania

A gas leak caused an explosion and the subsequent collapse of a three-story public housing building in Catania, Italy. The incident resulted in fourteen people sustaining injuries, one of whom was in a serious condition. Among the injured are also two firefighters and three technicians from the local gas company who intervened to intercept a gas leak reported in the area. It is confirmed that none of them are in danger of life. The individual who had not been heard from again and was therefore initially considered missing was later found to be alive. Luca Cari, the Fire Department’s communications manager, stated that the explosion occurred while a team was assisting technicians in locating a gas leak from the local network. Prefect Maria Carmela Librizzi clarified that the building had been evacuated as a precaution at the time of the explosion and that gas technicians are still working on the site to identify the leak point. The area has been made safe by closing all the pipes. In the meantime, several buildings near the affected area have been evacuated and temporary housing solutions are being studied for the residents in public city facilities. An extraordinary meeting has been called at the company responsible for the local gas network to ascertain the causes of the explosion.