Gas tank explosion in Kosovo injures 44, damages shops

An explosion involving a liquefied gas tank Tuesday injured dozens of people in sourn Kosovo, according to police and health authorities.

explosion occurred at about 2 p.m. (1300 GMT) at a restaurant in city of Ferizaj, 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Kosovo's capital, Pristina. Police said blast involved a 10-liter gas tank, injured 44 people and damd building housing restaurant, a nearby shop and parked vehicles.

Local residents removed injured individuals from building with help from firefighters and army troops.

Eight of injured were in grave condition, according to Dr. Segedin Fazliu, a hospital physician. Police spokesman Qazim Reka said two people have life-threatening injuries.

More than a dozen of injured were taken to a hospital in capital.

It was t clear why re were so many people at a restaurant at a time when garings of more than five are prohibited in Kosovo due to coronavirus pandemic.