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Death toll in stairwell collapse in Siberia reaches two

The source in thr law enforcement agencies said that there are no more people under the debris

MOSCOW, May 31. /TASS/. The body of a man who died during the collapse of a stairwell in a residential building in the Siberian city of Mezhdurechensk earlier in the day has been discovered, law enforcement agencies told TASS Tuesday.

"At about 21:40 Moscow Time, rescuers discovered the body of a killed man. Earlier, the body of a woman was discovered," the source said. The death toll thus grew to two people.

He said that according to preliminary information, there are no more people under the debris. Still rescuers continue the search operation.

Emergencies services and law enforcement agencies reported earlier Tuesday that a few people were injured in the stairwell collapse in a residential building in Mezhdurechensk in southwest Siberia’s Kemerovo Region.

The stairwell of a five-story residential building collapsed on Vesennyaya Street in Mezhdurechensk at about 17:30 Moscow Time. Search and rescue operations are underway, the dwellers have been evacuated.

A criminal case has been initiated over violations of security regulations during construction works.

Three injured people were hospitalized to the city hospital, medics and emergencies officials said.

Some 500 people and 84 items of equipment were involved in the rescue effort.

The regional department of the Russian Investigative Committee confirmed the death of two people as a result of the stairwell collapse.