Deadly Explosion and Fire Rock Bucharest Apartment Building, Three Confirmed Dead

Tragedy Strikes Bucharest Residential Block

A powerful explosion, followed by a fire, tore through an apartment building in Bucharest's Sector 5 on Friday, October 17, 2025, leading to the deaths of three individuals and hospitalizing 17 others. The incident, which occurred on Calea Rahovei, prompted the evacuation of over 150 people from the affected 8-story residential block and a nearby high school. Emergency services swiftly mobilized to the scene, where the building now faces a significant risk of collapse.

Details of the Incident and Suspected Cause

The explosion primarily impacted the fifth and sixth floors of the building, causing extensive structural damage before a fire erupted. Authorities, including Raed Arafat, head of the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), have indicated that a gas accumulation is the most probable cause of the blast. Reports suggest that the area's gas distributor, Distrigaz Sud Retele, had received complaints of a gas smell the day prior and had shut off the supply. However, the seal applied was later found to be 'torn', raising questions about the circumstances leading to the explosion.

Extensive Emergency Response and Evacuations

The incident triggered a large-scale emergency response, with the activation of the Red Intervention Plan. Numerous units from the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) Bucharest were deployed, including:

• 11 fire engines
• 4 mobile intensive care units
• 2 aerial ladder trucks
• 2 extrication vehicles
• 3 SMURD ambulances
• 1 mobile command post
• 1 CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) vehicle

In addition to the residents of the damaged building, students and teachers from the nearby Dimitrie Bolintineanu High School were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Search and rescue teams worked to ensure no one remained trapped amidst the debris.

Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation

Of the 17 individuals hospitalized, several are in serious condition, including a 17-year-old suffering from polytrauma and a woman with severe burns. One person was found deceased under a concrete slab on the sixth floor. The structural integrity of the building is a major concern, with officials confirming it is at risk of collapse, leading to the area being sealed off. Stelian Bujduveanu, Bucharest's acting Mayor, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured support for all those affected, while an investigation into the exact cause of the explosion is underway.