ROME, July 3 (RIA Novosti) - Italy's council of ministers approved imposing a state of emergency on Friday in the Italian town of Viareggio hit by a powerful gas blast late on Monday.
The state of emergency will remain in force until December 31, 2009, Italian media said citing government sources.
The powerful explosion occurred when a 14-carriage freight train, en route to Pisa, carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) derailed and two carriages exploded, creating a fireball that engulfed nearby homes, destroying at least two houses.
The death toll in the deadly blast rose to 21 on Friday after three people - two men and a woman - died in intensive care of severe burns.
At least 50 people were injured, and around 20 people are fighting for their lives in a critical condition in hospitals.
