Europe

Death toll rises to 5 in Czech gas explosion

PRAGUE (AP) — Officials say the death toll after a powerful gas explosion that destroyed a three-story apartment building in eastern Czech Republic has risen to five.

Firefighters spokesman Petr Kudela said Monday rescuers working with sniffer dogs found three dead children and one more body burned beyond recognition. Another body was recovered Sunday. Officials say 11 people were injured in the blast that occurred early Sunday in the town of Frenstat pod Radhostem.

Police say it is likely it was caused by gas. One person is still missing.

Related Headlines

  • Czechs to send funds to blast-hit Texas town

    The Czech Republic plans to donate 4 million koruna (some $200,000) to help the Texas town of West recover from a devastating fertilizer plant explosion. The government ... 

  • PHOTO ESSAY: Czech taxidermist success

    At just 13, Radomir Franz already knew he wanted to be a taxidermist. He credits a boyhood trip to a natural science museum with capturing his imagination. More than three ... 

  • Honeybees trained in Croatia to find land mines

    Mirjana Filipovic is still haunted by the land mine blast that killed her boyfriend and blew off her left leg while on a fishing trip nearly a decade ago. It happened in a ... 

  • Powerful blast injures at least 35 in Prague

    A powerful blast believed to be a gas explosion ripped open an office building in the center of Prague on Monday, injuring at least 35 people and sending shockwaves through ...