SEOUL (Reuters) – Videos shot from China show an explosion lighting up the night sky across the border in North Korea, multiple media reported on Wednesday, in what one South Korean outlet said was an apparent gas leak that caused a deadly blast on Monday.
Reuters could not immediately verify the videos, which were obtained by Seoul-based Daily NK, which monitors North Korea, and the Associated Press. Other South Korean media also cited unnamed sources who reported the fire and explosions.
Citing an unnamed source inside North Korea, Daily NK reported on Wednesday that as many as 15 people had died in the explosion and resulting fire at a house in Hyesan, Yanggang Province.
The Associated Press quoted a travel agent in the Chinese border town of Changbai who said he observed the explosion and filmed a video of it, but did not know the cause.
The videos show a fire glowing over tree tops, punctuated by multiple explosions that send columns of flame into the sky.
North Korean state media has made no mention of an incident, and South Korean officials said they could not immediately confirm the reports.
(Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
