MOSCOW, January 14. /TASS/. A household gas explosion hitting a residential block in the city of Shakty, Rostov Region, killed a woman, seven people have been rescued, while another four are still unaccounted for, according to updated information provided by Russia’s Emergencies Ministry.

"A total of 12 people lived in the destroyed apartments. One of them was killed, seven were rescued, the search for another four continues," the ministry’s press service told TASS.

According to the press service, there were three people in apartment number 71: a woman was killed, while a man and a child were rescued alive. A woman who lived in apartment number 72 is missing. "Three people lived in apartment number 68, they are being searched for. Five people were rescued from apartment number 68 on the eighth floor," the ministry said.

According to the Russian Emergencies Ministry, a gas and air mixture exploded on the ninth floor of a residential building in Shakhty, damaging four apartments on the ninth and eighth floors. A total of 140 people have been evacuated from the 72-apartment building.

A search and rescue operation involving about 120 people and 35 pieces of equipment is being carried out at the site.