Between ten and 20 people have been wounded after an explosion in Antwerp caused a residential building to collapse, according to police.

Local media is reporting that three buildings were damaged following a huge blast at an Italian restaurant in the Paardenmarkt area of the Belgian city, which is largely populated by students.

Antwerp police have also stressed that the explosion is not terror related and is believed to have been caused by a gas leak.

Emergency services have so far rescued seven people alive from the rubble, including a child, according to local media.

Local resident Brett Buelens told VTM Nieuws: "I heard people calling from under the rubble."

The local fire department said that the rubble and debris was "unstable", which was making the rescue operation difficult.