KHABAROVSK, August 19 (RIA Novosti) - At least three people have died and eight others are missing after a gas explosion in a residential building in Russia's Far East Region of Khabarovsk, an emergency services source said on Wednesday.
A severely injured woman died in hospital bringing the toll up to three with two people hospitalized. Earlier it was reported that rescuers removed the bodies of a man and a 13-year-old girl from the debris.
The blast occurred at 03:17 p.m. (04:17 GMT) in the city of Amur in the Khabarovsk Region, causing the floors of 12 apartments to collapse. The spokesperson said that the building had been evacuated, adding that 28 of the 32 residents, registered as living in the apartment block, had left.
"At the moment, three people are dead, two people have been hospitalized. Six people received treatment at the scene. The fate of another eight people is unknown," the spokesman said.
He added that the clean up operation is due to finished later tonight. Around 239 rescuers are working at the scene.
According to the spokesman, the residents forced to move from their apartments are being accommodated in hostels and with relatives and friends.
