The head of Bucharest’s Emergency and Mobile Resuscitation Unit (UPU-SMURD), Dr Bogdan Oprita, stated on Friday that 12 victims directly linked to the explosion in a block in Sector 5 of the capital had been taken to hospital, while three others from the surrounding area of the blast were also transported to medical facilities.

„The victims – a total of 17, of which 12 were directly affected by the explosion – were all taken to hospital, along with three others from the adjacent area who were also transported. Among them, two are in serious condition: a 17-year-old with multiple injuries, intubated and ventilated, at Grigore Alexandrescu Hospital, and a woman with burns at Bagdasar Arseni Hospital,” Oprita said in a statement at the scene.

He added that two other victims had died, but later the head of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (DSU), Raed Arafat, announced the discovery of a third deceased, bringing the death toll to three.

„We mobilised 30 first-aid teams, four mobile intensive care units, five advanced life-support vehicles, two of which were staffed with additional doctors and nurses from Floreasca Hospital. There are also doctors and nurses on reserve at the University Hospital who can intervene if needed. Colleagues from SABIF supported us with 14 units, six of which had a doctor present. Naturally, the UPU-SMURD leadership was also on site. All emergency hospitals in Bucharest were notified by the ISU-SMURD dispatch centre and have prepared beds in both emergency departments and surgical and intensive care units,” the head of UPU-SMURD Bucharest went on to say. AGERPRES