Russia Magnitogorsk blast: Death toll rises to 21

Russian rescuers have now pulled 21 dead bodies from the rubble of a collapsed apartment block in the city of Magnitogorsk.

The death toll rose from 14 to 21 on Wednesday. About 20 people are missing.

The condition of an 11-month-old boy rescued on Tuesday is serious but not life-threatening. He is in a Moscow hospital and will not undergo surgery for now.

Officials believe a gas leak was to blame for Monday’s blast.

A day of mourning is being marked in Magnitogorsk, in the Urals region about 1,695km (1,053 miles) east of Moscow. The current temperature there is -15C, and it plunges further overnight.

The rescued baby, called Ivan, spent 35 hours in the freezing cold, and was reported to have severe frostbite to his limbs, a head injury and multiple leg fractures.

However, Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova told reporters on Wednesday that his head injury was minor and treatment had improved his blood circulation.

His mother also survived the suspected gas explosion. Six people have been rescued at the scene so far.

The blast ripped through the first floor at 06:02 local time (01:02 GMT), bringing seven upper storeys crashing down. In all, 48 flats – home to 120 people – were wrecked. Read more

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Russia Magnitogorsk blast: Death toll rises to 21

Russian rescuers have now pulled 21 dead bodies from the rubble of a collapsed apartment block in the city of Magnitogorsk.

Russia Magnitogorsk blast: Death toll rises to 21

Russian rescuers have now pulled 21 dead bodies from the rubble of a collapsed apartment block in the city of Magnitogorsk.

Russia Magnitogorsk blast: Death toll rises to 21

Russian rescuers have now pulled 21 dead bodies from the rubble of a collapsed apartment block in the city of Magnitogorsk.

Russia Magnitogorsk blast: Death toll rises to 21

Russian rescuers have now pulled 21 dead bodies from the rubble of a collapsed apartment block in the city of Magnitogorsk.