Three Dead, 17 Hurt in Rio Blast from Gas Leak

A powerful explosion likely triggered by a gas leak ripped through a restaurant in downtown Rio de Janeiro early Thursday, leaving three people dead and 17 injured, the Brazilian city's mayor said.

Three of those hurt were in serious condition, Mayor Eduardo Paes told reporters at the scene of the explosion, which occurred around 7:30 am (1030 GMT).

The blast demolished an eatery located on the ground floor of a building in the center of Rio, destroying much of the lower two floors of the edifice.

"Most of the injured were passers-by," said Paes, adding that the number of victims would have been higher if the explosion had taken place later, with more shops open.

The building was evacuated, and civil defense workers were studying the structure to see if there was a risk of collapse, the mayor added.

Public Security spokesman Colonel Lima Castro said it appeared the blast was the result of a leak from a cooking gas tank that led to an accumulation on Wednesday, when the restaurant was closed.

"When the cook came and turned on the light, that led to the detonation," he said.

The cook was killed along with two passers-by, the official said.

The explosion was so strong that some people were thrown up to 40 meters (130 feet) away, Globo television reported.

Tiradentes Square, where the restaurant was located, was covered in broken glass and debris including pieces of furniture and blown out air-conditioner units.