At least three dead and nearly ten missing is the toll from the explosion that destroyed a residential building on the island of Jersey, Sky News reported today, citing the island's chief executive, Christina Moore.
A three-storey building has completely collapsed
The previous toll was one dead after an explosion at around 04.00 local time today in a residential building on the island, off the coast of northern France. Officials have not commented on the cause of the explosion but said residents had earlier cited a smell of natural gas.
A gas leak is said to be the cause of the tragic incident at a building in the capital city of St Helier (in the south). CCTV images showed a fireball engulfing the waterfront building followed by dense smoke.
"A three-storey building has completely collapsed," said local police chief Robin Smith.
Two hospital admissions
"There is also damage to a neighbouring building, a residential building which firefighters have yet to secure. It's quite a terrifying sight," he added."
[/P]He stressed that the toll and the number of missing people could rise."
Two people have been admitted to hospital."
One neighbour, Anthony Abbott, told the BBC that his apartment windows were shattered by the blast. "Everything outside was on fire," he said, considering himself "lucky."
Smell of gas
Jersey gas supplier Island Energy said it was working with emergency services to figure out what happened.
Residents had called the fire department saying there was a smell of gas, according to the police chief. Robin Smith said experts have been mobilised to locate people who may have been trapped under the rubble.
Chief Executive Christina Moore said clearing the site of debris could take "several days". About 30 people were evacuated from the area and are being accommodated at St Helier town hall.
It is the second tragic incident this week on the island, whose economy is based on banking, tourism and fishing.
On Friday, the Jersey Coast Guard halted a two-day search at sea to locate three sailors missing in their shipwreck Thursday morning after a collision with a ferry. The ship "L'Ecume II" sank to a depth of about 40 metres, too deep for divers to get there without special equipment.
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