A recent explosion rocked an apartment complex in central Stockholm at 11:40 a.m. local time. According to witnesses, the explosion was forceful enough to be heard from miles away. The explosion happened in the area around Brännkyrkagatan on Södermalm, and was likely caused by a gas leak. After an initial investigation, authorities believe no one was injured.
As reported by the Independent, the blast occurred in a building housing several apartments and the building’s owner called police immediately following the explosion.
A window of a neighboring apartment building was shattered, but authorities believe that may not have been related to the explosion.
The area and surrounding roads were blocked off and first responders and emergency personnel arrived at the scene where witnesses described the blast as “powerful.”
After initial fears of a possible terrorist attack, authorities quickly downplayed the incident, saying the blast was not as big as first feared.
Stockholm law enforcement stated that, “There was a small blast in the south part of the center, no one was hurt. They suspect [it was] a gas leak.” They further added that, “There are no signs of a crime.” Police spokesman Albin Birch bark Berg urged people to remain calm. “We are there to investigate what happened.”
Stockholm police indicated they contacted the owner of the apartment where the explosion happened, but no details regarding that conversation have yet been revealed.
Security services and forces have been on heightened alert in the area ever since Stockholm was the scene of several gruesome terror attacks in recent years. Islamist extremist Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly set off two bombs in Stockholm in 2010 – one in a car and one attached to himself – in a terror attack that shocked the peaceful country.
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