Belgium: Explosion collapses building, injures up to 20

Antwerp police quickly announced the blast was not part of a terror attack

Firefighters inspect the debris at the Paardenmarkt in Antwerp, Belgium after several buildings collapsed following an explosion, on January 15, 2018. Olivier Hoslet / EPA

Associated Press

Police said an explosion has torn through three adjacent homes in Belgium's northern port town of Antwerp and injured up to 20 people.

Antwerp police said in a statement late on Monday that most of the injuries were minor. Authorities rescued seven people from under the rubble.

Antwerp police spokesman Wouter Bruyns told VRT network: "There are about 10, a maximum 20 casualties, fortunately including many slightly injured."

The explosion ripped through the homes late in the evening. Antwerp police quickly announced the blast was not part of a terror attack.

At least one building totally collapsed. Rescue workers were still going through the debris around midnight.

Firefighters rescue a man following the collapse of a building in Antwerp following an explosion. Dirk Waem / AFP

Updated: January 16, 2018, 6:35 AM