Residential building partially collapsed in Astrakhan

Two stairwells of a five-storey residential building collapsed in Astrakhan. Emergency services have arrived to the scene and started removing the debris, TASS reports.

Accident
Photo: TASS

According to preliminary reports, one woman died, several people are considered missing. Over 200 residents have been evacuated, temporary accommodation points have been established for them.

What happened

- A five-storey residential building partially collapsed in downtown Astrakhan; stairwells number three and four have collapsed.

- Before the collapse, a crack in the wall was reported to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

- A woman, born in 1939, died; several people are considered missing, according to Governor Igor Babushkin.

Reaction of the authorities

- Governor Igor Babushkin announced the establishment of an anti-crisis center and a hotline.

- Ministry of Emergency Situations rescuers have started removing the debris. A minute of silence was declared in order to find the injured below.

- A total of 213 people have been evacuated, 37 of them - children. The information on the injured is being updated, the Ministry said.

- Three temporary accommodation points have been established in local schools. Residents are being provided with hot meals and water.

- Astrakhan Region Health Minister departed to the scene; ambulance brigades already arrived to the location. Regional Prosecutor Sergey Frost also departed to the scene.

- Two city hospitals have prepared beds for admission of the injured.

Collapse cause versions

- Regional authorities have ruled out the gas explosion version.

- According to the Astrakhan Region Vice Governor Oleg Knyazev, the "building’s framework" has collapsed. According to the information from open sources, the building was constructed in 1962.

- The investigators are working to determine the cause of the collapse; initiation of a criminal case is being considered.

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