曼哈頓東哈萊姆一帶發生爆炸 死傷20餘人

An explosion and collapse of two buildings in Manhattan’s East Harlem neighbourhood killed two women and injured at least 22 people, according to New York police and fire authorities.

紐約警方和消防當局表示，曼哈頓東哈萊姆(East Harlem)一帶發生爆炸，兩棟大樓倒塌，兩名女性死亡，至少22人受傷。

Bill de Blasio, New York City mayor, said preliminary information showed that 1644 and 1646 Park Avenue, on the corner of 116th Street, had collapsed after a gas blast around 9.30am.

紐約市長比爾•德布拉西奧(Bill de Blasio)表示，初步信息顯示，上午9點30分左右發生了煤氣爆炸，116街附近的公園大道(Park Avenue)1644號和1646號大樓隨後倒塌。

About 250 firefighters were sent to tackle the consequent blaze.

約250名消防員前往撲救隨之燃起的大火。

“This is a tragedy of the worst kind. The only indication of danger came 15 minutes earlier,” Mr de Blasio told reporters near the scene. “There are a number of missing individuals. There will be a search as soon as the fire is put out. I know there is a tremendous amount of anxiety right now.”

德布拉西奧在現場附近告訴記者：“這是最沉痛的悲劇。唯一的危險跡象出現在爆炸15分鐘之前。有多人失蹤，大火撲滅後將立即展開搜救。我知道，現在大家心情非常焦急。”

Heavy smoke and dust filled the air following the blast. Fire engines were spraying water from high cranes on to the rubble.

爆炸過後，空氣中瀰漫着濃厚的煙塵。多輛消防車伸出長臂向瓦礫上噴水。