2018 Magnitogorsk building collapse

On 31 December 2018, at approximately 6:02 a.m. local time, an apartment block in Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, 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.[1]

2018 Magnitogorsk building collapse
Date31 December 2018 (2018-12-31)
Time6:02 a.m. (Yekaterinburg Time)
LocationMagnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia
Coordinates53.3833°N 58.9768°E / 53.3833; 58.9768
TypeStructural failure
CauseGas explosion
Deaths39[1]
Non-fatal injuries17 (4 hospitalised and 13 released after first aid treatment)[2]

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.[3][4]

Cause

The collapse is believed to have been caused by a gas explosion.[4] Russian investigators denied reports that traces of explosives were found in the rubble. The znak.com website, citing an unnamed and unverified source, reported that the blast originated in a second-floor apartment, where an unknown man was suspected of storing explosives for a planned attack on a local shopping centre.[5]

Response

After the collapse, the building was evacuated.[6] Officials warned that more of the apartment complex was at risk of collapsing.[7]

The daytime temperature at the site was −17 °C (1 °F), and −24 °C (−11 °F) 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.[8]

Russian President Vladimir Putin 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."[3][9]

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin, a native of the town, paid tribute to the victims of the disaster in the Penguins' game against the New York Rangers 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.[10] He donated RU₽4,000,000, the equivalent of almost US$60,000, to a relief fund for the victims, with the rest of the team soon to contribute donations they have collected.[11]

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See also

References
  1. "Спасательная операция на месте обрушения подъезда в Магнитогорске завершена" [Rescue operation at the site of the collapse of the entrance in Magnitogorsk completed] (in Russian). 3 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  2. "Один из пострадавших в Магнитогорске находится в крайне тяжелом состоянии". РИА Новости (in Russian). 31 December 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  3. MacFarquhar, Neil (31 December 2018). "7 Dead and Dozens Missing in Russia Building Collapse". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  4. "At Least Four Killed, Dozens Missing After Explosion At Russia High-Rise". RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  5. Bennetts, Marc (2 January 2019). "Russian investigators deny explosives caused deadly building blast". Retrieved 3 January 2019 – via www.theguardian.com.
  6. "Russia: Dozens missing after deadly apartment collapse | Russia News | Al Jazeera". Al Jazeera. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  7. Talmazan, Yuliya (31 December 2018). "4 dead, dozens missing after explosion at Russian apartment block". NBC News. NBC. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  8. Isachenkov, Vladimir (31 December 2018). "Russia: 4 dead in apartment collapse, apparent gas explosion". ABC News. ABC. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  10. Bombulie, Jonathan (2 January 2019). "Penguins' Evgeni Malkin shows support for explosion victims in his hometown". TribLive. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  11. Bombulie, Jonathan (9 January 2019). "Penguins' Evgeni Malkin makes donation to victims of apartment explosion in his hometown". TribLive. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
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