Paris bakery explosion death toll rises to four Published duration 13 January 2019

media caption Video showed the aftermath of the explosion, with flames engulfing the ground floor

The death toll from a suspected gas explosion in central Paris has risen to four after rescue workers found the body of a woman in the rubble.

Two firefighters and a Spanish tourist were also killed in Saturday's blast at a bakery near a popular area.

Dozens more people were injured in the blast, which also caused damage in nearby streets.

The cause was thought to be accidental, though other explanations have not been excluded, the Paris prosecutor said.

image copyright AFP image caption Damage from the blast in a corner extended over a large area

Some 30 firefighters were involved in the search for a woman who had been declared missing, reports say.

The body found on Sunday was in the process of being identified, a spokesman for the Paris fire service said.

Search efforts would continue, he said, although rescue workers were no longer looking for anyone reported missing as such, he said.

The latest casualty figures were nine people seriously injured, including one firefighter, and another 45 people with lighter injuries, including six firefighters, suffering from hearing or psychological difficulties, he added.

Work was going on to reinforce the buildings hit by the blast, and residents "would have to wait a long time" before being allowed to return home, he added.

The blast happened at the Hubert bakery at 6, rue de Trévise.

A gas leak had been reported in the building and firefighters had arrived to deal with it when the explosion occurred.

image copyright AFP image caption Cars were overturned by the blast

image copyright EPA image caption One of two helicopters which landed in front of the Garnier opera house to help the rescue effort

image copyright AFP image caption Two firefighters were also killed in the explosion

Around 150 people have been housed in temporary accommodation because of damage to nearby buildings.