Building collapses in west Norway - 5 missing, feared dead

by Rob Peters | March 25, 2008 at 10:08 pm

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Five people are missing after the apartment building collapsed, and officials are fearing that they are dead. Fifteen people have been taken to hospital with various injuries.

The search for survivors was hampered by two later rock slides that hit the crumpled structure, partly built into a steep hillside in Aalesund, about 220 miles northwest of Oslo.

A propane tank caught fire and was at risk of exploding. Authorities evacuated about 40 houses and apartments in the area.

The bottom floors of the apartments caved in just after 3:30 a.m when the first slide slammed into the back wall.

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A block of flats has collapsed in the west Norwegian coastal town of Alesund, leaving many injured, local media say.

Rescue services leader Audun Vartdal told the NTB news agency that about 20 people had been inside at the time.

"There are many injured and we are in the process of bringing out survivors," he said. Rescue teams from around the region have been called to the scene.

It is not known what caused the building to collapse in the town, about 350km (220 miles) north-west of Oslo.

The block of flats has been cordoned off and surrounding homes evacuated by the authorities because of fears of gas leaks, according to the NRK television channel.