At least one dead as suspected gas explosion destroys Jerusalem car park

At least one person has died after a suspected gas leak in Jerusalem caused a powerful explosion on Tuesday afternoon. The blast destroyed a car park, with unconfirmed reports of people being trapped under the rubble.

The car park is located on Dan Street in the Baka neighbourhood of southwest Jerusalem.

"Units are continuing to search the area," said a police spokesperson.

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Fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene, where searches are being conducted for people trapped under the debris and efforts are being taken to assist the wounded, according to Arab 48.

Several apartments above the underground car park were also damaged by the blast, according to The Times of Israel.

A man and a woman in their 60s, living in one of the apartments, were taken to hospital.

"They were fully conscious without external injuries, we conducted an initial check in the area and evacuated them for further examination and treatment at the hospital in order to rule out the possibility of injuries from the blast," a paramedic told Arutz Sheva.