Rescuers and policemen work at the site of a natural gas explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Dec. 3, 2018. A natural gas explosion happened on Monday in the downtown area of Turkish capital Ankara, leaving at least seven people injured and a nine-story building damaged, the Turkish Health Ministry said. (Xinhua)

ANKARA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A natural gas explosion happened on Monday in the downtown area of Turkish capital Ankara, leaving at least seven people injured and a nine-story building damaged, the Turkish Health Ministry said.

According to local Dogan News Agency, the explosion happened at around 18:44 local time on the ground floor of the building in Ankara's Kizilay district.

TV footage shows that the building's windows and gates were damaged by force of blast. Many ambulances and rescuers have been dispatched to the site of the accident.