RESCUERS SIFTING THROUGH RUBBLE COFFINS AND SURVIVORS BEING TAKEN AWAY




Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: RESCUE WORKERS ARE STILL SIFTING THROUGH THE RUBBLE OF PARMA'S MAIN HOSPITAL FOLLOWING THE EXPLOSION WHICH CLAIMED AT LEAST SEVEN LIVES. THE BLAST WRECKED TWO FLOORS OF THE THREE STOREY WING WHICH HOUSED THE HEART SURGERY AND INTENSIVE CARE WARDS. AT LEAST SEVENTEEN OTHER PEOPLE...INCLUDING PATIENTS, STAFF AND VISITORS ARE STILL MISSING. TROOPS WERE CALLED INI TO HELP WITH RESCUE WORK WHICH IS BEING HAMPERED BY SLEET AND FROST. A YOUNG NURSE WHO SURVIVED THE BLAST SAID EVERYTHING SUDDENLY FLEW INTO THE AIR. IT'S THOUGH THE EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY A LEAKING GAS PIPE OR OXYGEN CYLINDERS.