Ten people, including three children, have been hospitalized in Volgograd as a result of a household gas explosion

Ten people, including three children, have been hospitalized in Volgograd as a result of a household gas explosion in an apartment house on Kosmonavtov Street, Russian Health Ministry press secretary Oleg Salagai has told Interfax.

"Ten people hurt in a household gas explosion in an apartment house of the city have been taken to hospital in Volgograd. There are three children amongst them. Doctors say their condition is medium serious and stable," Salagai said.

"The exterior wall of the building collapsed from the ninth to second floor and a fire started on an area of about 30 square meters," the ministry said.

Firemen and rescuers rushed to the accident site.

"Fifty people were evacuated from other sections of the house. Temporary accommodations were prepared, offering food and medical assistance," a ministry representative said.

The accident scene was cordoned off.

More than 250 persons are working on the explosion site. The task force has more than 800 members, in all.

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