Geneva, Aug 22 (V7N) – Two people have been found dead inside a burned-out apartment block in Thusis, eastern Switzerland, following a fire that broke out Thursday night, police said Saturday, with several others still missing.
The blaze, which started shortly after midnight, "entirely burned" the building housing a restaurant and residential flats. Police in Graubunden canton confirmed that "two bodies were found inside the building," with identification still pending.
On Friday, police had reported that five people were missing. The number of those still unaccounted for was not specified in Saturday's statement.
"The stairwell collapsed, so the roof of the building had to be opened with a crane," the statement said, adding that 14 people managed to escape, eight of whom were injured, including two in serious condition.
A photo released by police showed a multi-story apartment building engulfed in smoke, with flames shooting out of several windows and setting the roof ablaze.
Police said various emergency services and specialists investigating the cause remained on site, but recovery efforts were hampered by the building's risk of collapse. "The building is still at risk of collapse, which is hindering the investigation and recovery efforts," the statement said.
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