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.

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.

Cause

The collapse is believed to have been caused by a gas explosion. Russian investigators denied reports that traces of explosives were found in the rubble. The 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.

Response

After the collapse, the building was evacuated. Officials warned that more of the apartment complex was at risk of collapsing.
The daytime temperature at the site was, and 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.
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."
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. 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.