Dramatic video images capture the moment a huge gas explosion ripped through a 10-storey block of flats, partially demolishing the building. The incident happened on Friday in the Russian city of Saratov, located on the Volga River some 730km southeast of Moscow.
At least there people are believed to have died in the explosion, with reports suggesting one of the victims is a child. Emergency crews rushed to the site and searched for survivors under the rubble, after several floors collapsed. Some ten people were pulled out from under the building debris, including a young girl.
The terrifying moment the explosion devastated the residential building was captured by CCTV cameras. A young girl is sitting on a bench outside the entrance watching a man play football with a young boy.
A woman carrying a bag walks past them, before suddenly a huge explosion is heard, followed by debris falling to the ground and smoke pouring from a window.
The little boy falls to the ground as he tries to run away, before getting back on to his feet. The man grabs the young girl from the bench, and all three race towards safety.
A source inside the local emergency services told the Russian news outlet Tass: “According to preliminary data, three people were killed.” However, officials have yet to confirm the identities of any of the victims.
The Russian Telegram channel MASH reported that the property management company responsible for safety and maintenance was changed three times in the past year.
It is claimed that none of these companies conducted gas leak inspections of the building.
Local sources also alleged that an odorous compound normally added to natural gas to allow for its detection if it leaks was no longer present in supplies to Saratov’s Leninsky District.
A full investigation into the causes of the explosion is under way, with investigators looking to see if there was any negligence.