Apartment building blast kills 10 in Argentina

Flames are seen after a fire erupted following an explosion caused by a gas leak in an apartment building in Rosario city, in the province of Santa Fe, August 6, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

BUENOS AIRES - A strong explosion shook a building in northeastern Argentina Tuesday morning, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 60 others, local authorities confirmed.

The accident occurred at 9:30 am local time (1230 GMT), when gas exploded and triggered a fire in a ten-floor building in Rosario city, 300 km northwest of Buenos Aires.

Preliminary reports said the explosion was registered at the building's central heating system and probably caused by a gas leak.

"We were told that electric works were being carried out and that the cauldron was off," said a resident of the building, located in 2000 Salta Street.

"It was like an earthquake," local resident Florencia Papucci told Xinhua. Nearby residents have been evacuated to safe places, according to local authorities.

Some residents are still trapped inside the building. Mayor Monica Fein was quoted by the Nation daily as saying that 26 ambulances "are working" at the site. Authorities recommended the evacuation of nearby buildings.

Fire continued to be battled by firefighters and it's unknown how many people were inside the building and the area when the explosion occurred, according to the daily.

The Litoral Gas Company, which supplies gas to the building, has cut off gas flow to much of Rosario for safe consideration.

Antonio Bonfatti, governor of Santa Fe province where Rosario is located, visited the area and described the scene around the tragic explosion in downtown Rosario as "horrific".

"There is no precedent for this kind of explosion," he said, clearly moved by the events that took place in the heart of the Santa Fe province city.

Other government officials had arrived at the scene, including Security Secretary Sergio Berni and Defence Minister Agustin Rossi.

"We are at the scene ... and everyone is extremely committed to the task of removing the rubble quickly," said Berni, lamenting the tragedy.

Rossi said that the mayor has asked for possible security measures overnight, "so we have brought a body of police and Border Patrol officers with us to give more effective security".

The offices of Litoral Gas Company have been searched by police on orders from Rosario prosecutor Graciela Arguelles, who explained that on July 24 there had been a complaint to the company due to a gas leak, "but on August 2 a check was carried out and according to the company there was no leak".

According to the official Telam News Agency, a judge named Juan Curto has ordered the arrest of a licensed gas technician, who would have tried to repair the problem that caused the explosion. A further investigation is under way.