At least 12 people went missing after a gas explosion in Ravanusa, located in the province of Agrigento in Sicily, local media report.

The explosion occurred on Saturday evening, likely as a result of a rupture of a city gas pipeline, the Giornale di Sicilia newspaper said.

The blast led to the collapse of a four-storey building. Nearby buildings were also affected. Twelve people are reported missing.

According to the il Messaggero newspaper, the missing include three children and a pregnant woman with her husband.

The search and rescue efforts are ongoing. According to some media reports, one person was pulled dead from the rubble.