One killed, 25 injured in explosion at German housing block

One person was killed and at least 25 people were injured in an explosion on Friday at a residential building in the German city of Blankenburg.

Several of those hurt suffered severe injuries, according to a police spokesman, adding that it was too early to identify the dead.

Police were also unable to say if the blast was deliberately set off or if it was an accident.

The explosion struck at around 0800GMT at a five-storey building with 60 apartments, sending splinters flying up to 60 metres away.

Residents in the building have been evacuated, police said, adding that a nearby kindergarten has also been cleared.