The fire brigade in Liege say they are concerned for the lives of five people buried in the rubble of the apartment building destroyed by an explosion on Wednesday. The blast is thought to have been caused by a gas leak.

Earlier firemen were able to speak to the five buried beneath the debris, but they lost contact when the building’s façade also collapsed. Rescue workers are digging a tunnel to search for the victims.

At least 20 people were injured in the explosion, two of whom are in a critical condition in hospital. A neighbouring building and Liege city hall were also damaged by the blast. Windows were broken in an area up to 100 metres from the explosion.