MOSCOW, February 9. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences about the explosion of natural gas in a residential building in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk that left several people dead.

The president wished those who were injured to get well soon and pledged to provide the necessary assistance.

"A huge tragedy has, unfortunately, befallen you, which was related to a gas explosion," he said during a ceremony to open new airports in Novosibirsk and Novy Urengoy. "I and everybody who has gathered here today express our sincere condolences to all the victims and their families. We wish everyone who needs it, who sustained some injuries, to get well."

Putin expressed hope that that regional governments are doing and will be doing "everything what is required in these circumstances."

"If there’s a need for federal agencies to provide help, that needs to be stated as soon as possible," he said.

The death toll from the explosion of natural gas in a five-story apartment building in Novosibirsk has climbed to eight, the regional health ministry said on Telegram. Nine people have been injured and seven of them remain hospitalized.

Novosibirsk Region Governor Andrey Travnikov has declared February 10 a day of mourning in the region, he said on Telegram.