Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry says a gas explosion at a residential block outside the capital, Moscow, has killed at least three people and injured several others.
The ministry said the blast on April 4 destroyed several floors of the building, located in the city of Orekhovo-Zuyevo, some 85 kilometers east of the capital.
The explosion occurred as residents of Moscow and the surrounding region have been ordered to stay at home as part of strict quarantine measures aimed at curbing the spread of the new coronavirus.
The ministry said the explosion took place on the third floor of the five-story apartment block.
Gas explosions occur with some frequency in Russia due to aging pipelines and infrastructure or lax safety standards.
