A strong explosion occurred in the afternoon in the center of Paris, where at least one building partially collapsed and others were engulfed in flames. 200 firefighters rushed to the scene. According to the French media, at least seven injured have been seriously injured, while 9 more lightly.

The explosion occurred at around 5pm (local time, 6:00pm Greek time) in the Val-de-Grace district near Place Alphonse Laveran in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. A forensics department was deployed in the area, however a witness said that before the explosion “he smelled gas”.

As announced, Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne is “being updated on the development of the situation” in coordination with police headquarters.

“Residents of the 5th arrondissement, there has just been a gas explosion (from a leak) in Place Alphonse Laveran, in the Val-de-Gras district, buildings are on fire, stay away to allow firefighters to intervene’ was earlier the message of deputy mayor Edouard Sivel. A similar statement was made by the French Minister of the Interior, Gérard Darmanin, who is going to the scene of the explosion.

“There are shards of glass falling everywhere,” said Edouard Sivel.

It was around 5 pm (local time, 6:00 pm Greek time) when a powerful explosion rocked the area. “We heard a big explosion. We saw black smoke and debris everywhere (…) We thought lightning struck! There was a smell of gas in the street,” a local resident told Liberation newspaper.

Strong fire brigades rushed to the spot and evacuated the area.

Paris