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MOSCOW (AP) — Ten people died when a gas explosion caused an apartment building in Russia’s Ural region to partially collapse earlier this week, the country’s Emergency Situations Ministry said Saturday, announcing the completion of a search and rescue operation two days later.
The ministry said five of the dead were children. Another 15 people were rescued, including seven children, according to officials.
Photos released by Russian news agencies this week showed large parts of a five-story building in the industrial city of Nizhny Tagil razed to the ground.
According to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry, a gas tank explosion was the likely cause. Residents of a neighboring neighborhood told Russian media they heard a loud blast shortly before the collapse on Thursday.
The ministry said heavy equipment and more than 550 emergency personnel were involved in the rescue operation.
Russian law enforcement has launched a criminal investigation into the incident, suspecting health and safety issues.
Nizhny Tagil authorities declared a day of mourning on Saturday.
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