Olympics broadcasting centre in Beijing evacuated

Beijing: Broadcast officials say the massive building housing television facilities for next month's Beijing Olympics has been evacuated due to an apparent gas leak.

John Barton, the director of sport for the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, said he was in his office at the International Broadcast Centre on Wednesday evening when people began running down the halls telling everyone to get out.

Barton said there was apparently a gas leak in the basement near the food service area. He said no alarms sounded.

People at the scene said there was a strong gas smell. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The International Broadcast Centre is near the main Olympic stadium and will beam television signals to viewers around the world.