The Foreign Office has updated its guidance for people visiting France after at least 24 people were injured after an explosion at a building in Paris' Left Bank.
The blast ignited a fire that sent smoke soaring over monuments in the French capital and prompted the evacuation of surrounding buildings. The cause of the blast was not immediately known.
The façade of a building in the 5th arrondissement, or district, collapsed and emergency services were working to determine if anyone was still inside, police added. The explosion happened near the historic Val de Grace military hospital.
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Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said the building where the explosion occurred was a private school, the Paris American Academy, which was founded in 1965 and offers teaching in fashion design, interior design, fine arts and creative writing.
The fire was contained but not yet extinguished. Some 270 firefighters were involved in putting out the flames and 70 emergency vehicles were at the scene.
A Paris police official told the Associated Press that 24 people were injured, including four in a critical condition and 20 with less severe injuries. The official said the injuries were sustained mainly when people were blown off their feet by the blast.
Following the incident, the Foreign Office has issued the following update to UK travellers: "On 21 June, an explosion and large fire occurred in the 5th Arrondissement in central Paris. Avoid the area and follow the advice of local authorities.
"If you require consular support, call the British Consulate in Paris on +33 (0)1 44 51 31 00."
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