Over 30 injured in early-morning explosion at Berlin apartment complex

In the early morning of October 13, residents of the High-Deck-Siedlung complex in Berlin’s Neukölln district were awakened by a powerful explosion, injuring more than 30 people.

Within minutes, flames engulfed a first-floor apartment in the six-story building, triggering a major rescue operation, Caliber.Az reports per Aussiedlerbote.

According to the Berlin Fire Department, 33 people were affected by smoke inhalation. Most were residents inside the building at the time of the fire. Medical teams treated some on-site, while others were transported to nearby hospitals.

The fire spread rapidly, prompting police and firefighters to evacuate dozens of residents from the building. During firefighting efforts, several secondary explosions occurred, sending glass shards and window blinds flying into the courtyard. A total of 83 emergency responders were on the scene by around 4:40 am. 

One man was rescued directly from the burning apartment and taken to the hospital. He initially suffered critical head injuries, but doctors later reported that his condition had stabilised.

Berlin police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and fire, considering possibilities ranging from a domestic gas malfunction to an electrical short circuit.

By Khagan Isayev