At least two dead after building partially destroyed by large explosion in Madrid

At least two people have been killed in an explosion that caused the partial collapse of a building in central Madrid on Wednesday.

Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida confirmed the deaths, and added that initial information pointed to a gas leak as the likely cause of the blast.

Videos and images shared on social media showed a tower of smoke coming out from a building and rubble scattered in a central street of Madrid.

Spanish public broadcaster TVE said the explosion took place in a building near a nursing home.

A witness told Telemadrid broadcaster that there was at least one person trapped inside.

Leire Reparaz, who lives near the Puerto de Toledo, a local landmark, told The Associated Press that she heard a loud explosion.

“We didn’t…