An explosion at a restaurant in the northwestern city of Most, Czech Republic, has left six people dead and eight others injured, local emergency services reported on Sunday.
The blast which occurred at the Kojot restaurant was reportedly triggered by an overturned heater that ignited a fire.
A propane-butane cylinder inside the restaurant exploded, the Czech fire service said in an X post on Sunday morning.
“According to initial information from witnesses, a heater overturned, causing a fire,” it said.
“Twelve fire brigade units are on the scene,” the fire service confirmed.
Firefighters managed to rescue one individual who had been trapped in the restaurant’s restroom.
About 30 people were evacuated from the building including those in nearby buildings, who were evacuated as a precaution.
Eight people sustained injuries, six of whom are in serious condition. They were transported to hospitals in Prague, Most and the regional capital, Usti nad Labem.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.
“I want to express my sincere condolences to everyone affected by the tragedy and wish a speedy recover to all those injured,” Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said in a post on X, adding that he had met with municipal and regional officials to discuss investigations.
Most is located about 70 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of Prague, near the German border with Saxony.