At least 10 people were killed and nine were injured when a gas explosion destroyed part of a five-story apartment building in the Russian city of Novosibirsk on Thursday, February 9, according to local officials.The dead included a two-year-old child, an elderly woman, and a 40-year-old woman, according to the
health ministry in Novosibirsk region. Two of the nine injured victims were in critical condition, the health ministry said.Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (
EMERCOM), which
released this footage,
said rescue crews were using heavy machinery to remove rubble as they searched for victims.The search-and-rescue operation continued as night fell, and involved more than 390 personnel and 90 pieces of equipment, according to
EMERCOM.Russia’s Minister of Emergency Situations, Aleksandr Kurenkov, visited the scene and thanked responders for their work,
EMERCOM said.The Governor of Novosibirsk Oblast, Andrei Travnikov,
declared that the following day — Friday, February 10 — would be a day of mourning.Any displaced residents of the building would be rehoused at the regional government’s expense, according to a
statement from the governor’s office. Credit:
EMERCOM via Storyful