On 31 December 2018, at approximately 6:02 a.m.

local time Local time is the time observed in a specific locality. There is no canonical definition. Originally it was mean solar time, but since the introduction of time zones it is generally the time as determined by the time zone in effect, with daylight s ...

, an apartment block in

Magnitogorsk Magnitogorsk ( rus, Магнитого́рск, p=məɡnʲɪtɐˈɡorsk, ) is an industrial city in Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, located on the eastern side of the extreme southern extent of the Ural Mountains by the Ural River. Its population ...

Chelyabinsk Oblast Chelyabinsk Oblast (russian: Челя́бинская о́бласть, ''Chelyabinskaya oblast'') is a federal subject (an oblast) of Russia in the Ural Mountains region, on the border of Europe and Asia. Its administrative center is the city ...

, Russia, partially collapsed. The collapse killed 39 people and injured 17 more. The cause of the collapse is believed to have been a

gas explosion A gas explosion is an explosion resulting from mixing a gas, typically from a gas leak, with air in the presence of an ignition source. In household accidents, the principal explosive gases are those used for heating or cooking purposes such as nat ...

Background

The 10-story high-rise apartment block, located at 164 Prospekt Karla Marksa, built in 1973, holds 623 units, being a type 1-439A building with 12 staircases. The collapse took place on the 7th staircase and destroyed or damaged 48 units which together housed 110 people, of whom 95 were believed to have been in the building at the time of the collapse.

Cause

The collapse is believed to have been caused by a

. Russian investigators said reports of explosive traces in the rubble were untrue. Based on "unnamed and unverified" sources, the Znak website wrote that the blast came from the second floor where a suspect was keeping explosives to use to attack local businesses.

Response

After the collapse, the building was evacuated. Officials warned that more of the apartment complex was at risk of collapsing. The daytime temperature at the site was , and at night. Nearly 1,400 rescue workers helped to free residents from the rubble, and used high-powered heaters to warm people still trapped under the debris. Russian

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...

Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin; (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who holds the office of president of Russia. Putin has served continuously as president or prime minister since 1999: as prime min ...

traveled to the site of the collapse to survey the damage and observe the rescue efforts. He also visited injured residents in the hospital. In a statement he said, "Despite the holiday season, we need to spare a thought for those who perished and those who were injured."

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...

forward Forward is a relative direction, the opposite of backward. Forward may also refer to: People * Forward (surname) Sports * Forward (association football) * Forward (basketball), including: ** Point forward ** Power forward (basketball) ** Sm ...

Evgeni Malkin Evgeni Vladimirovich Malkin ( rus, Евге́ний Влади́мирович Ма́лкин, p=jɪvˈɡʲenʲɪj ˈmaɫkʲɪn; born 31 July 1986) is a Russian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of ...

, a native of the town, paid tribute to the victims of the disaster in the Penguins' game against the

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home ...

on January 2, 2019. His skates bore Russian phrases translating to, "Magnitogorsk, we are with you," and, "Magnitogorsk, you are in my heart." He scored a goal which he dedicated to the town, having hoped prior to the game that he would do so. Following the game, Malkin stated that the team will raise funds for the victims and their families. He donated RU₽4,000,000, the equivalent of almost

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60,000, to a relief fund for the victims, with the rest of the team soon to contribute donations they have collected.

References

{{Portal bar, Russia 2018 disasters in Russia Building collapses in 2018 Building collapses in Russia December 2018 events in Russia Explosions in 2018 Gas explosions in Russia Magnitogorsk Building collapses caused by fire

Background

Cause

Response

See also

References