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Gas explosion in Astrakhan’s 9-storey building, one section collapses

The information on victims is being verified now

MOSCOW, February 27 (Itar-Tass) —— As a result of the gas explosion in Astrakhan's 9-storey building, one of its sections collapsed, press service of EMERCOM’s regional branch told Itar-Tass by telephone on Monday.

“During the explosion the second out of the six sections of the nine-storey building collapsed,” the source said. The information on victims is being verified now.

Earlier, head of press service of the Southern regional centre of Russia’s EMERCOM Oleg Grekov reported two victims, who had been taken from under the ruins.

“We are putting together the lists of the residents, and we are finding out how many people might have been indoors,” regional EMERCOM said.

Rescuers continue working at the site of the accident examining the ruins.

The information about the explosion in the house came at 13:00 Moscow time. According to preliminary information, household gas exploded.

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