An explosion on the seventh floor of an apartment block in the town of Cornellá de Llobregat at 6.30am this morning has left a three year old girl dead and 22 others requiring medical attention.

The explosion, which was caused by a gas leak, occurred at nº42, avenida Porta Diagonal and also forced the evacuation of the residents of the two buildings on either side, who should be allowed back home after a technical inspection.

However, it may be a couple of days before the 40 residents of nº2, who have been found accommodation in a nearby Novotel hotel, can return.

The 3 year old girl, who was carried out of the building in the arms of her father, died of a heart attack. Seven others were taken to either Bellvitge Hospital or the Red Cross Clinic in L'Hospitalet, where they were treated for a variety of broken bones and bruises. 15 others were treated at the scene for shock.