Five Dead in Buenos Aires Blast

430 0 129
At least five people have been killed in an explosion in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. The blast occurred in a shop suspected of illegally selling fireworks. At least 15 people were injured and part of the surrounding block collapsed after the blast, in the suburb of Florencio Varela. Police said the power of the explosion, and the smell of fireworks, led them to believe the shop had contained an illegal supply. Local media reports say a further five people are missing. Firemen and police were on the scene shortly after the two-storey building exploded and searched through the rubble by hand and with bulldozers. Fireworks are a big part of Argentina's festive celebrations, and each year police find illegal firework factories with little or no safety precautions. Florencio Varela is situated some 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Buenos Aires. "There was a smell of fireworks and the power of the explosion leads me to believe it was fireworks," Florencio Varela Mayor, Julio Pereyra, told local radio. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Fire fighters and police look for survivors among the rubble in Florencio Varela, some 30 km (18 miles) from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Jan.2, 2004. (AP Photo/Luciano Thieberger/DYN)

Related Articles