Three people, including two firefighters, have died and dozens more people were injured after a gas leak caused an explosion in Paris, emergency services in the French capital say.
The blast occurred at a bakery at 9 a.m. local time on Saturday, as firefighters were responding reports of the leak.
Police had originally said four people had died, before revising down the death count.
“At this hour, 2 firefighters from the Paris fire brigade are dead. 10 people are seriously injured, including a firefighter. 37 people are in a state of relative emergency,” French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner tweeted.
“Profound sadness. Standing by the families of victims. The nation shares in their pain,” he added.
More than 200 firefighters were responding to the incident, Castaner wrote. “My first thoughts go to those injured and their loved ones,” he added.
The explosion occurred hours before gilets jaunes (yellow vest) protesters marched through the city for a ninth successive weekend, near the street on which the blast occurred.
Police had earlier advised the public to stay away from the area, and to make space for emergency vehicles.