Four people dead in Leicester explosion

International Desk: Four people have died in an explosion at a shop in Leicester, police have confirmed.

Leicestershire Police declared a "major incident" after reports of a blast in Hinckley Road at about 19:00 GMT on Sunday.

Four other people remain in hospital, one with serious injuries, the force said.

Supt Shane O'Neill said police believe there may be more people unaccounted for and rescue efforts were continuing.

At this stage the explosion is not being linked to terrorism, he added.

A fire service spokeswoman said the building, which consisted of a shop premises on the ground level and a two-storey flat above it, had suffered a "pancake collapse".

Witnesses said the shop was formerly a Londis but recently became a Polish supermarket.

Supt O'Neill said: "It is a dangerous scene so trained officers from the fire service and police took over as soon as possible.

"I can't say at this stage [what may have caused it] but it is a joint investigation between the fire service and the police and the priority is to make the area safe."

He urged anyone who knows someone who is missing to contact police, adding: "It is still a search and rescue operation. It is important we try and find as many people as possible."

Angel Namaala, who lives opposite the shop, told the BBC she heard "this big thud, like an earthquake".

Source: BBC

risingbd/Feb 26, 2018/Mukul