Gas leak blast rips through Chilean port city
Source: Reuters
SANTIAGO, Feb 3 (Reuters) - A gas leak caused an explosion that ripped through buildings in the Chilean port city of Valparaiso on Saturday, killing at least one person and injuring 10, the interior minister said. The 8 a.m. (1100 GMT) blast was in an old residential building thought to house around 50 families and local media reported at least 25 people were trapped under the rubble. But Interior Minister Belisario Velasaco, who traveled to the city to survey the damage, declined to speculate on the reports. "The situation is difficult, serious, complicated," he said, confirming one person had died and 10 were injured. "Our main concern is to move the debris to see if there are people underneath who are still alive." The blast destroyed at least two buildings. Television pictures showed flames and clouds of black smoke rising into the air above the area, which is packed with old buildings of architectural and historical interest. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet was due to visit the area later on Saturday to survey the damage.
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