By Bisola Adeyemo
The death toll from a gas explosion in eastern Algeria has risen to 10 on Friday, the state-owned APS news agency reported.
The Thursday gas explosion, which destroyed a three-storey building in Bordj Bou Arreridj Province, also injured 17 others, the APS said.
“Seven people died instantly and three others died in the hospital,” said Ali Dahmane Rabah, commander of the local firefighters, adding that the explosion also caused damage to several neighboring houses.
An official investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the explosion, Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud told reporters in Bordj Bou Arreridj on Friday.