MAGNITOGORSK, Russia -- One Tajik national has been rescued from the ruins of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, Russia, as the death toll in a New Year's Eve suspected gas leak and explosion rose above 20, ASIA-Plus and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported Wednesday (January 2).
Shukhrat Ulfatov, 26, of Kushoniyon District, Khatlon Province, survived the disaster while 10 Tajik nationals are still missing, ASIA-Plus reported, quoting a source at the Tajik Labour Ministry.
Ulfatov was reportedly found alive Monday (December 31), while the fate of his wife and three children remains unknown, the source said, adding that six members of another Tajik family are missing.
The blast killed at least 28 people, including two children, RFE/RL reported Wednesday. More than 20 individuals were still missing 48 hours later.
