ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) – A large explosion damaged a government building housing the prime minister’s office in the capital of Algeria on Wednesday, and at least 10 people were killed, a fire department official said.

The cause of the explosion was still unclear.

A charred, wrecked car lay on the pavement about 98 feet from the gates of the building, which houses the offices of both the prime minister and the interior minister.

Six floors of the building were badly damaged and partially ripped away, and the iron gates outside were bent back by the force of the blast.

Fire officer Mourad Hasi said at least 10 bodies had been recovered. Other people were seen being led away with injuries.

Police cordoned off stairs leading up to the government building with orange police tape, and paramedics raced up the steps with stretchers. Paramedics escorted a man with blood on his head into an ambulance. Another woman, looking dazed and in tears, was checked for head injuries.

The explosion rocked the capital at about 10:50 a.m. local time, causing windows to rattle a half-mile away.