Two dead, several missing after building collapse in New York

Two women have died and at least 18 people have been injured in New York after an explosion caused two five-storey buildings to collapse.

A number of people are still missing.

The blast happened in East Harlem near East 116th Street and Park Avenue around 09:30 local time (14.30 CET)

The two buildings held a piano shop and a church with apartments above them.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed the explosion had been caused by a gas leak and that a call had been made to the gas company 15 minutes before the blast.

More than 250 firefighters are tackling a huge fire that broke out at the scene and are searching for missing people.

Train services in and out of Grand Central terminal were suspended following the incident, which happened near its tracks.