Pyrotechnics blast at Paris arena injures 15November 9, 2013 - 10:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A pyrotechnics blast at a Paris arena has injured 15 people, five seriously, just hours before the start of a musical about the French Revolution, according to BBC News. The large Palais des Sports venue in the south-west of the city was preparing to stage a production of 1789, The Lovers Of The Bastille. Those hurt are said to be either cast members or stage hands. A technician is said to have accidentally ignited pyrotechnic devices being used in the show. According to Le Parisien newspaper, the use of a power tool close to the devices may have triggered the explosion. About 100 firefighters and a dozen fire engines were deployed to the scene, which was visited by Interior Minister Manuel Valls. Some of those seriously hurt, who were taken to hospitals in the city, suffered burns while one had a heart attack and another received a facial injury, the French broadcaster BFMTV said. The more lightly injured were mainly examined for damage to their hearing. So strong was the blast, which occurred just after 18:00 (17:00 GMT), that a shock wave was reportedly felt in nearby buildings. A wall and part of the ceiling collapsed, AFP reported. Weekend performances of the show, which premiered in Paris last year, were reportedly cancelled. The Palais des Sports has a capacity of 4,500 and is one of the French capital's largest performance spaces. It hosted the premiere of Les Miserables in 1980. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |