Deadly Gas Explosion In Central Russia

A powerful gas explosion that destroyed an apartment block in Russian Federation has left at least seven people dead including two children. Officials have also rescued four people, including a child. The emergencies ministry said that four people have been rescued while up to 20 people remain trapped under the rubble, APA reports quoting RT.

All residents of the building have been evacuated, a total of about 130 people.

Three of those rescued suffered significant injuries, while one woman reportedly suffered serious fractures to her legs. More than 50 pieces of equipment were deployed as part of the search effort, in addition to nearly 200 rescuers.

“As a result of the household gas blast, nine people were taken to hospitals and three were killed, according to updated information”, a ministry official said.

Leonid Belyaev, the deputy head of Russia’s emergencies ministry, has earlier ruled out a terrorist attack as the cause of the building’s collapse saying that various causes were considered. Five apartments were completely destroyed and ten others were partially damaged.

Gas explosions in old residential buildings in Russian Federation are commonplace: previous year there were 15 blasts, while 2014 saw 18 incidents.