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People trapped after gas blast rocks residential building in Russiaâ€™s Yaroslavl

16 February 2016 04:04 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. An entire section of a five story residential building in the Russian city of Yaroslavl has collapsed after a powerful gas explosion. The emergencies ministry said that four people have been rescued while up to 20 people remain trapped under the rubble, APA reports quoting RT.

“People remain under rubble,” the ministry confirmed, adding that at least ten flats have collapsed.

Authorities confirmed one fatality after a man’s body was pulled out from the debris.

So far four people have been rescued from the debris, according to RIA Novosti. Meanwhile TASS reports that up to 40 people could have been inside the affected part of the building at the time of the incident.

Three of those rescued suffered significant injuries, while one woman reportedly suffered serious fractures to her legs.

Rescue teams and fire crews continue working at the scene to save those trapped. More than 50 pieces of equipment were deployed as part of the search effort, in addition to almost 200 rescuers. Meanwhile the emergencies ministry is preparing to send two rescue helicopters equipped with medical modules to Yaroslavl to help evacuate those who have been wounded.

The remaining residents have been evacuated from the crippled building. Authorities are now looking for places to house them, the emergencies ministry noted, adding that none of them have sought medical help.

Emergency services working at the scene said that the threat of further collapse still remains, as the apartment building consists of four blocks. Thus far, authorities are considering faulty gas equipment to be the main probable cause of the explosion, RIA reported citing a source at the scene.