INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
nearly 70 unaccounted for after a gas explosion tore through a residential building in Russia on Monday, leaving hundreds without a home in
freezing temperatures on New Year's Eve.A large section of building collapsed after a gas explosion around 6am local time at high-rise in
industrial city of Magnitogorsk, nearly 1,700 kilometres (1,050 miles) east of Moscow in Ural mountains.Four people were confirmed dead and
another four, including two children, were hospitalised, officials said, citing latest information.Sixteen people including seven children
National television said some 50 people could be trapped under rubble.National television broadcast footage of rescue workers combing
plunge to minus 23 Celsius on New Year's night, biggest holiday of year in Russia.Officials warned that two more sections of Soviet-era
high-rise on Karl Marx Street were in danger of collapsing.Local resident Anna Koroleva told Echo of Moscow radio that explosion shattered
tragedy'Located in mineral-rich southern Ural region, Magnitogorsk, with a population of more than 400,000 people, is home to one of
country's largest steel producers.The high-rise was built in 1973 and was home to around 1,100 people
Residents were evacuated to a nearby school.Volunteers offered money, clothing and essentials to victims, and some said they were ready to
provide temporary shelter to those in need.Regional governor Boris Dubrovsky said authorities planned to buy apartments for people who had
lost their homes.Staff from local Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK), one of country's largest steelmakers, took part in rescue
he said in a statement, adding that MMK would provide financial assistance to those in need.Investigators opened a criminal probe into
accident, with FSB security service confirming blast had been result of a gas explosion.Such deadly gas explosions are relatively common in
not been edited by TheIndianSubcontinent staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
