曼哈顿东哈莱姆一带发生爆炸 死伤20余人

An explosion and collapse of two buildings in Manhattan’s East Harlem neighbourhood killed two women and injured at least 22 people, according to New York police and fire authorities.

纽约警方和消防当局表示，曼哈顿东哈莱姆(East Harlem)一带发生爆炸，两栋大楼倒塌，两名女性死亡，至少22人受伤。

Bill de Blasio, New York City mayor, said preliminary information showed that 1644 and 1646 Park Avenue, on the corner of 116th Street, had collapsed after a gas blast around 9.30am.

纽约市长比尔•德布拉西奥(Bill de Blasio)表示，初步信息显示，上午9点30分左右发生了煤气爆炸，116街附近的公园大道(Park Avenue)1644号和1646号大楼随后倒塌。

About 250 firefighters were sent to tackle the consequent blaze.

约250名消防员前往扑救随之燃起的大火。

“This is a tragedy of the worst kind. The only indication of danger came 15 minutes earlier,” Mr de Blasio told reporters near the scene. “There are a number of missing individuals. There will be a search as soon as the fire is put out. I know there is a tremendous amount of anxiety right now.”

德布拉西奥在现场附近告诉记者：“这是最沉痛的悲剧。唯一的危险迹象出现在爆炸15分钟之前。有多人失踪，大火扑灭后将立即展开搜救。我知道，现在大家心情非常焦急。”

Heavy smoke and dust filled the air following the blast. Fire engines were spraying water from high cranes on to the rubble.

爆炸过后，空气中弥漫着浓厚的烟尘。多辆消防车伸出长臂向瓦砾上喷水。