Updated 14:55
At least two people have died following an explosion in central Paris.
It happened at a bakery on Rue de Trévise in the northern area of the city centre at around 9am local time this morning.
Associated Press quotes a police spokesperson as saying the blast is suspected to have been caused by a gas leak.
French interior minister Christophe Castaner initially told reporters that four people had been killed in the powerful blast - two civilians and two firefighters.
However, he later clarified that it was the two firefighters who had died.
10 other people are seriously injured, while 37 others had received minor injuries.
The Spanish foreign affairs minister, however, has reported that three people had died - including a Spanish citizen.
Lamento profundamente el fallecimiento de tres personas tras la explosión en el centro de #París, entre ellas una española. Mis condolencias a sus familiares y mis deseos de una pronta recuperación al otro español herido. Nuestra embajada y consulado están a su disposición.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) January 12, 2019
Picture by: Chen Yichen/Xinhua News Agency/PA Images
Pictures from the scene appear to show that the ground floor of a building has been destroyed, while neighbouring buildings have also been damaged.
Police have urged people to avoid the area.
🔴 #intervention en cours des @PompiersParis pour un incendie dans un commerce suivi d’une forte explosion rue de Trévise dans le 9ème. Évitez le secteur et laissez le passage aux véhicules de secours
— Préfecture de police (@prefpolice) January 12, 2019
More than 200 firefighters have been responding to the incident.
Mr Castaner had visited the area earlier today, saying his thoughts are with the injured and their families.
Rue de Trévise, aux côtés du Premier ministre, du procureur de Paris, du @prefpolice et de la Maire de la capitale.
Plus de 200 @PompiersParis sont engagés dans les opérations de secours.
Le bilan s’annonce lourd.
Mes premières pensées vont aux blessés et leurs proches. pic.twitter.com/bg8n5bCpi8— Christophe Castaner (@CCastaner) January 12, 2019
One eyewitness told the Reuters news agency: “There was broken glass everywhere, storefronts were blown out and windows were shattered up to the third and fourth floors."
Dublin Fire Brigade said their thoughts were with the families of the two firefighters killed in the explosion:
It has been confirmed that two #Firefighters have lost their lives at a fire incident in #Paris. Our thoughts are with the families of the Firefighters, and to their colleagues, friends and community. pic.twitter.com/gh4174eDzM
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 12, 2019
The blast happened as thousands of emergency and security forces mobilised in the city ahead of a planned further weekend of 'yellow vest' protests.
Additional reporting by IRN
