National mourning will be held for 27 deaths caused by explosion in Dominican capital.

　　BEIJING, August 17 (Xinhua)-According to foreign media reports, a large-scale explosion occurred in a commercial center near Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, which caused a fire. At present, the death toll has increased to 27, and local firefighters are still working hard to put out the fire.

　　According to the Associated Press, an explosion occurred in a bakery in the business district of Sancristobal, about 23 kilometers from the capital, on the afternoon of 14th local time. After the explosion, the fire quickly spread from the bakery to the hardware store and a furniture store next door. More than 500 local rescuers and related officials responded quickly and went to the incident to put out the fire and carry out rescue.

　　The Emergency Operations Center announced on the 15th that 59 people were injured in the explosion and more than 500 people and 32 ambulances were dispatched.

　　Juan Manuel Msa Enders, director of the Emergency Operations Center, said on the 16th that rescuers have found all the bodies of the missing persons, but it still takes time to confirm their identities, and some of the injured people died of injuries in the hospital. The Dominican national health department reported earlier that the initial victims included a four-month-old baby.

　　Msa Enders said that the explosion affected a total of 13 shops, four of which were completely destroyed.

　　It is reported that the authorities are still uncertain about the cause of the accident.

　　Dominican President Abbina del said on the 15th that the government would do its best to investigate the cause of the accident and provide necessary help to the families of the victims.

　　The Dominican Presidential Palace announced on the 16th that August 17th will be designated as a national mourning day, and flags will be flown at half mast in military facilities and public buildings across the country.