Gas explosion in Tapolca, Hungary forces 200 residents to evacuate

A suspected gas explosion occurred in an apartment on the third floor of a ten-story residential building in Kazinczy Square, Tapolca, last night, according to the National Directorate General for Disaster Management. The explosion caused the balcony to collapse.

Emergency services from Ajka, Keszthely, Badacsonytomaj, and the local Tapolca fire brigade, along with the Veszprém County Disaster Operations Unit, responded to the scene, the National Directorate General for Disaster Management reported. A small fire also broke out in the kitchen of the apartment, but it was quickly extinguished by an off-duty firefighter.

The affected wing of the building was evacuated, with 198 people leaving their homes.

Structural engineers assessed the safety of the building following the explosion.

This is not the first explosion in the so-called Y-buildings of Tapolca this year. In May, a similar gas explosion occurred in another apartment, sending one person to the hospital. Residents at the time were jolted awake by the entire building shaking. The blast took place in a sixth-floor apartment of the building at 13 Kazinczy Square, leading to the evacuation of 102 apartments.

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Featured image: illustration, depositphotos.com