In the Russian town of Nizhny Tagil, rescue teams are continuing their efforts to sift through rubble and debris after the collapse of a five-story residential building.
The collapse was triggered by a gas explosion on Thursday.
So far, 15 people, including seven children, have been rescued from the debris, according to a statement released by the Russian Emergencies Ministry on Friday morning, as cited by Interfax.
Ongoing Rescue Operations
The explosion led to the collapse of two entrances of the building, leaving many trapped under the rubble.
The Russian Emergencies Ministry reported that in addition to the 15 survivors, four bodies have been recovered from the site. The search for any remaining victims continues as crews work around the clock to clear the massive amounts of debris.
Since the operation began, more than 400 tons of construction waste have been removed from the site. The scale of the rescue effort is considerable, with approximately 550 personnel and 74 units of equipment mobilized to assist in the operation.
The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.
Authorities have opened a criminal case under Article 238 of the Russian Criminal Code, which pertains to the performance of work or provision of services that do not meet safety standards, potentially endangering lives.
