Gas explosion kills 1, hurts 2 at Venezuela gym

CARACAS — Venezuelan authorities say a gas leak caused an explosion in a gym just after a judo competition in the mining town of Puerto Ordaz. Officials say a journalist was killed and two other people were injured.

Sports Minister Alejandra Benitez says the blast occurred Monday afternoon in a stall that was selling drinks and food at the competition. She blames a gas leak in the stall’s kitchen.

Benitez tells Venezuelan Television that journalist Ivette Rebolledo died while being taken to the hospital. The minister says one of the injured is a 12-year-old girl who was one of participating athletes. No information has been released on the other injured person.

Puerto Ordaz is about 650 kilometers (400 miles) southeast of Caracas.