Powerful explosion in Sweden, dozens of people injured

About 25 people were taken to hospital on Tuesday morning after an explosion damaged a residence building in the Swedish town of Gotthenburg, public radio station SR reported.

Swedish police said they have launched investigations into the case. A hospital spokesman said that among those sent to the hospital, three women have suffered serious injuries, Reuters writes.

Emergency services said they are working to evacuate residents and extinguish the fires that followed the blast. Some housing and access have been affected. At present it is unclear what caused the” explosion, emergency services said.

A spokesman for emergency services said hundreds of people have been evacuated from the residential bloc due to the risk posed by blast and fire.

Otherwise, the Scandinavian state has faced increased crime from gangs in recent years. Rival criminal groups have used explosive devices and firearms to settle their scores.