THE death toll in the Madrid Gas Explosion continues to rise as a priest has been confirmed as the fourth victim.

Officials in Madrid have reported that 36-year-old Father Ruben Perez has sadly lost his fight for life in the early hours of Thursday, January 21 after being critically injured in a suspected gas explosion at number 98, Calle Toledo. The priest was reportedly with 34-year-old David Santos, who was repairing the gas boiler and also lost his life, when the explosion occurred in a parish building of the Virgin de la Paloma Church on January 20.

As reported by the Archdiocese of Madrid, Father Perez passed away at 1:43am from injuries and internal bleeding following the blast.