Family missing after gas blast in residential building

A family of three is missing after an explosion wrecked a residential building in southern Italy.

The building in Conversano, south of the city of Bari, collapsed after the blast which was caused by a gas leak.

Rescue workers are searching for three people. At least 10 more in surrounding buildings were slightly injured.

Conversano mayor Giuseppe Lovascio told Sky 24 Italian television that an Italian-Dutch couple with a small child had arrived from The Netherlands two days ago.

He said their whereabouts is unknown and that authorities have tried calling their mobile phone, but it went unanswered.

"We cannot rule out victims," Mr Lovascio said.

He added that the injured in the nearby buildings included a child. The explosion occurred in the historic centre of the town, which had been evacuated due to a smell of gas.

A second building that collapsed was not occupied.