Death toll mounts to 39 in Russia building collapse

Around 39 people have lost their lives in the building collapse here, as authorities ceased search and rescue operations at the site of incidence.

Alexander Chupriyan, Russia's Deputy Minister of Civil Defence, told Sputnik that all the deceased have been identified as the Emergencies Ministry declared that no more bodies remain under the debris. So far, authorities have removed 2,000 cubic meters of rubble from the scene during operations.

A gas explosion led to the collapse of a 10-storey apartment block on New Year's eve, causing multiple casualties and killing 39 people.

The government in Chelyabinsk is providing one million rubles in assistance to the family of the people who died due to the collapse, 4,00,000 rubles to people who received grave or moderate injuries and 2,00,000 rubles to those citizens who were minorly injured in the mishap.

The first funerals for the deceased will take place on Friday.