Multi-Storey Apartment Building Explodes In Russia

So far five people are known to have died.

An explosion occurred in a block of flats in the Russian town of Efremov, Tula Region. Five people died, seven were rescued and three were injured, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said.

"In the afternoon of Tuesday, February 7, a powerful explosion rocked the Russian town of Efremov in Tula Region. A five-storey building blew up," Ukrainian media reported on the explosion.

According to the latest reports, the house exploded due to a domestic gas leak. Local media reported that a pensioner called her granddaughter from the fourth floor of the building a few minutes before the accident and asked to call the emergency services because of a strong gas smell in the flat.

As a result of the explosion, an entire staircase from the 5th floor to the 2nd floor collapsed. Five citizens are known dead and three injured. About 3 more people may be under the rubble.

The debris of the house is being removed.

It is noteworthy that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not reacted in any way to the tragedy.