As Magnitogorsk weather dropped to -22C, rescue workers continued to clear the rubble of the apartment building, while officials admitted that the chance of finding dozens of missing victims became increasingly fragile every hour.
Almost all residents of the apartment complex on 164 Karl Marx Avenue are sleeping at 6am, a day before the Russian New Year holiday. But they were awakened by the loud noise when hundreds of glass pieces broke at the same time. Then the smell of carbon gas covered and smoke billowed from the fire, and finally the screams of the survivors.
A few dozen missing people have not been found as the search for those with the chance to survive continues. 4 rescue teams worked on duty for two hours all day and night.
Olesya, a resident on the 3rd floor of the apartment building, said that after hearing the explosion, she immediately woke her child up and gave him a wet duck to ensure she did not inhale smoke. I thought we would go out onto the porch, but when I opened my apartment, I saw the ruins. No more porches" - Lesya said.
A local newspaper wrote that some residents jumped out of their windows to escape the smoke. The fire was only on one floor of the building, but below it was a pile of rubble, with a quiet voice, asking, Help us! Please save us!.
The first survivors to suffer from burns and falls were taken to the hospital, and the deaths have been identified, which is clear to be a significant number of people who were stranded, dead or alive.
After emergency staff flights were dispatched from major cities, officials arrived at the site. Currently, there are 1,300 people and more than 200 equipment deployed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also went to the scene to direct, inspect the building, and talk to the surviving families and apologize to the boy for not having time to give him a gift. The seven children are still reported missing.
According to new information, 4 people have died, 5 injured people were taken to the hospital for emergency treatment, while 35 others are still buried in the rubble.
Previously, on December 31, the Russian Federal Security Service confirmed the gas explosion of a block of apartments in Magnitogorsk city, Chelyabinsk province, Russia.
