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Rescuers search for 3 missing after German building collapse possibly caused by gas explosion

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Rescuers search for 3 missing after German building collapse possibly caused by gas explosion
News

News

Rescuers search for 3 missing after German building collapse possibly caused by gas explosion

2026-05-19 15:47 Last Updated At:16:00

GÖRLITZ, Germany (AP) — Rescue teams in eastern Germany searched Tuesday morning for three people who were missing after a building collapsed in the eastern city of Görlitz near the Polish border.

Police said a gas explosion may have been the cause for the collapse of the building, which took place Monday night.

Emergency responders proceeded with great caution at the scene in case of gas leaks, German news agency dpa reported.

After unsuccessful attempts to locate the missing under the rubble with the help of search dogs, rescuers began clearing debris with an excavator and by hand around 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Initial concerns that up to five people may have been buried under rubble turned out to be wrong, police said.

A man who feared his wife and cousin might be trapped under the rubble said Monday they had arrived that day for a vacation in the rented house. While shopping at nearby supermarket, he heard an explosion and returned to the house to find nothing but a large pile of rubble, dpa reported.

The collapsed building in the historic Wilhelminian style contained rental and vacation apartments, police said.

Görlitz is Germany’s easternmost city with a population of 57,000. The historic, undamaged old town district is a popular location for international film productions.

Emergency cervices work next to the rubble of a collapsed house in the center of Görlitz, Germany, late Monday, May 18, 2026. (Paul Glaser/dpa via AP)

Emergency cervices work next to the rubble of a collapsed house in the center of Görlitz, Germany, late Monday, May 18, 2026. (Paul Glaser/dpa via AP)

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta is bracing to host World Cup fans from around the globe and has something for everyone to enjoy. Visitors should prepare for June and July temperatures averaging nearly 90 degrees, but the city known for its sports culture and Southern hospitality is ready to host one of the world’s largest sporting events.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, renamed Atlanta Stadium in accordance with FIFA regulations, will host eight matches, starting with group-stage matches in mid-June and ending with a semifinal match on July 15.

Piedmont Park is known as the “Central Park of the South." Located in midtown, the park boasts nearly 200 acres of green space, walking trails, recreational sport facilities and a lake with a fishing dock.

Ponce City Market is a must-visit for shopping and restaurants ranging from Italian to Michelin-recognized Indian street food. There are several options for fans looking to escape the heat, including the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, College Football Hall of Fame, Center for Human and Civil Rights, the King Center and High Museum of Art.

The “404” is known for its lemon pepper wings, and in a sea of great options, The Local is a fan favorite. Wings sell out early at this dine-in only spot, so be sure to arrive around the 5 p.m. opening. It’s not a trip to the South without some good barbecue, either. Fox Bros Barbecue and Sweet Auburn are both within 20 minutes of the stadium — traffic permitting.

Centennial Olympic Park, constructed for the 1996 Olympic games, will host the FIFA Fan Festival from June 11 to July 19. The free event will feature live match broadcasts, concerts, local food vendors, interactive games and cultural programming.

Atlanta has a reputation for traffic — and with good reason. The city is also home to MARTA, the nation’s ninth-largest public transit system, which offers bus, rail and paratransit services. The SEC District Station drops passengers within a short walk of the stadium.

The Benz, as local fans know it, is no stranger to hosting soccer matches. Opened in 2017, it is the home of Atlanta United of MLS and the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. The stadium can accommodate up to 75,000 people with expanded seating for special events. The Benz has hosted several major sporting events, including Super Bowl LIII in 2019 and the 2025 College Football Playoff national championship.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - The Mercedes Benz stadium and Atlanta skyline is seen, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart,File)

FILE - The Mercedes Benz stadium and Atlanta skyline is seen, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart,File)

FILE - A general view of Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik,File)

FILE - A general view of Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik,File)

FILE - People play in the fountains shaped by the Olympic rings at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, July 22, 2016. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

FILE - People play in the fountains shaped by the Olympic rings at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, July 22, 2016. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

FILE - General view of Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an MLS soccer match between Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Brett Davis, File)

FILE - General view of Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an MLS soccer match between Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Brett Davis, File)

FILE - Georgia Aquarium visitors watch as participants in the Wounded Warrior Project swim in the background, May 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

FILE - Georgia Aquarium visitors watch as participants in the Wounded Warrior Project swim in the background, May 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

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