Two killed in Mexico City hospital explosion

At least two people were killed and dozens more injured when a truck delivering gas exploded outside a children's hospital in Mexico City on Thursday, authorities said.

The blast, which struck the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Mexico City's Cuajimalpa borough at 7 a.m. local time (1300 UTC), caused nearly a third of the building to collapse. Other victims are likely still buried in the rubble, according to civil defense officials.

"We never imagined that something like this could happen. I'm shocked," an anesthesiologist at the hospital who declined to give his name told the AFP news agency.

Mexico City mayor Angel Mancera told local media that at least 54 people were injured in the explosion, including 22 children. According to Mancera, the injuries were mostly minor, caused by flying glass. Others suffered burns.

"We are searching for potential victims," Mancera said.

The hospital's emergency room and nursery were hardest-hit by the blast, according to the civil protection office.

Gas leak blamed

A punctured pipe, which was supplying the hospital with gas from the truck, is believed to have led to the explosion, but the cause of the blast is still under investigation according to officials.

"The truck must have had some failure, the hose and that's what caused the explosion," Mancera said.

Meanwhile, the driver of the gas truck has reportedly been detained. "The truck driver has been detained by police. He is injured and is being [cared] for by rescuers, but he is stable," A Mexico City public security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto offered his condolences to the victims.

"I would like to express my sadness and solidarity to the injured and the families of those who lost their lives this morning at the Children's Hospital in Cuajimalpa," Nieto tweeted.

bw/msh (AFP, AP, dpa)