The Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) has been informed by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany that two Romanian nationals have been reported missing following an explosion that occurred overnight Monday in the German town of Goerlitz.

In this context, the MAE said that Romania's Embassy in Berlin and consular teams are maintaining contact with the relatives of the two Romanian citizens. At present, German authorities are carrying out a complex and difficult operation to remove debris and search for possible victims.

Interim Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu held a phone conversation with Goerlitz mayor Octavian Ursu, who assured her that all efforts are being made to rescue and extract any potential victims trapped under the rubble.

'So far, we have confirmation that two Romanian citizens, two women, were inside the building at the time of the collapse and that authorities have teams on site. Authorities currently estimate that three people may be trapped under the rubble. Of course, as in any such situation, we asked whether and how we could help. We were told that all necessary resources have been deployed, including teams with search dogs trained to detect survivors trapped under rubble, while mayor Octavian Ursu is on the ground alongside those affected,' Romania's top diplomat wrote on Facebook.

She added that a young Romanian man had been temporarily outside the building at the time of the accident and is out of danger.

Oana Toiu also said that the team of Romania's Embassy in Germany and the consular team are in contact with the authorities and the victims' relatives, while an investigation into the causes of the collapse is still under way. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)