At least fifteen people were killed and dozens trapped in an explosion of a nine-story apartment building in Arkhangelsk, northern Russia, on Tuesday morning.

The building comprised 45 apartments.

Rescuers have retrieved 23 survivors from under the debris, along with 15 bodies. Earlier it was reported that another 50 still remain trapped under the rubble.

A household fuel gas is said to be the most likely cause of the explosion.

Initial reports that the blast might have been a terrorist act were not confirmed later. Still authorities refuse to rule it out amid heightened tension in Russia after a series of terrorist attacks blamed on Chechen rebels.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!