Your trusted source

Armenia's Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has addressed a condolence message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tragic apartment building explosion and collapse in the city of Magnitogorsk, the PM's office reported. 

“We were deeply saddened to learn about the tragedy that occurred in Magnitogorsk. On behalf of the Armenian people I am asking you to convey our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and speedy recovery to the injured,” the message reads.

Thirty-nine bodies have been recovered from the rubble of a Russian apartment building that partially collapsed this week after an apparent gas explosion.

Russian emergency officials say the search of the collapsed apartment building is over, The Guardian said.

The blast in the early hours of 31 December damaged 48 apartments in a 10-storey building in Magnitogorsk.

Rescuers have been working in freezing temperatures to try to recover people trapped under the rubble.