Moscow, Feb. 10, (dpa/GNA) - At least 12 people have been killed in a powerful gas explosion in an apartment block in the Russian city of Novosibirsk, the TASS state news agency reported on Thursday.
Up to three residents could still be lying under the rubble of the partially collapsed five-storey building, TASS said, citing rescue services. Nine people were injured, including two children.
Temperatures in the Siberian metropolis were around minus 20 degrees Celsius. About 60 flats are said to have been destroyed.
Investigators have opened a case for violation of safety regulations.
Only on Tuesday, eight people had died in a gas explosion in a five-storey apartment building in the town of Yefremov in the Tula region south of Moscow. As in the case of Novosibirsk, the building had partially collapsed.
Serious gas explosions due to violations of basic safety regulations are frequent occurrences in Russia.
Residents often use their gas cookers to supplement inadequate central heating systems. This is more affordable, but forbidden and dangerous because the flame can go out, resulting in a build-up of gas which explodes in the morning when the light is switched on.
Gas leaks in dilapidated pipes or inadequate maintenance of the infrastructure are also often considered the cause of accidents.
GNA