Two of the injured are hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, according to FDNY. Five others are in serious condition, but non-life threatening injuries, the fire department said. Fifteen others suffered minor injuries.
Rescuers are currently combing through bricks by hand in an effort to locate other possible victims.
“There are a number of people missing,”
Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference.
“I emphasize that those who are missing could well be safe in another location and just not contacted yet or reachable yet.”
The blast smashed windows and damaged walls up to several blocks away from the explosion. Residents in the neighborhood told reporters they feared the earth-shaking boom was a terrorist attack. One man was so worried, he told CNN, that he rushed out of his home wearing nothing but his underwear.
Based on preliminary information, the mayor said, “The only indication of danger came about 15 minutes earlier when a gas leak was reported to Con Edison. Con Ed dispatched a team to respond. The explosion occurred before that team could arrive.
Based on preliminary information, the mayor said, “The only indication of danger came about 15 minutes earlier when a gas leak was reported to Con Edison. Con Ed dispatched a team to respond. The explosion occurred before that team could arrive.
Sources say roads are blocked, certain subway lines are suspended and traffic has built up all over NYC. People are stranded everywhere, until things simmer down.
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