Prague, 12 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Six people have died and eight others were injured in an explosion that caused a fire in a restaurant in the Czech Republic overnight, authorities said early on Sunday.

The injured were transported to the hospital, the fire brigade said. According to eyewitness reports, a gas heater toppled over, causing its propane cylinder to ignite.

Emergency services noted that the flames spread with unusual speed.

The accident occurred in a restaurant in the centre of the industrial city of Most, about 15 kilometres from the German border.

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan wrote on X that about 30 people were able to escape to safety from the restaurant and neighbouring buildings.

A local news station reported that the restaurant was completely destroyed by the fire, with flames reaching heights of two to three metres.

Police have launched an investigation into a suspected offence of endangering public safety.

In the Czech Republic, this offence applies to anyone who negligently creates a risk to the lives or safety of many people or causes large-scale damage to others' property.