UK, Iraqi envoys extend condolences to Russia over deadly blast which left 38 killed

UK ambassador to Russia Laurie Bristow on Thursday expressed his condolences over a deadly incident in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk, which left at least 38 people killed.
“Deeply saddened by the tragedy in Magnitogorsk. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and my sincere condolences to all those affected,” Bristow said in a statement published on the UK Embassy’s Twitter account. Similarly, Iraqi Ambassador to Russia Haidar Mansour Hadi offered his heartfelt condolences on Twitter to the families of the victims of “Magnitogorsk’s horrific accident that caused the death of innocent people.” The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has also offered condolences.
“The Syrian Arab Republic expresses warm sympathy with the friendly Russian leadership, government and people over this tragic incident, and it extends heartfelt condolences to families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured,” ministry’s spokesperson told the Syrian Arab News Agency.
The condolences have also been expressed by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
“My thoughts are with the people, who lost their relatives. We wish soon recovery to those injured,” Maas wrote on the Twitter page of the German Foreign Ministry.
A 10-storey apartment block collapsed in Magnitogorsk on New Year’s Eve, supposedly due to a gas explosion, causing multiple casualties and destroying scores of apartments.
According to the latest estimates, the building collapse in Magnitogorsk has claimed at least 38 lives, while search and rescue operations continue.

The bodies of 38 people, including three minor children, killed in a supposed natural gas blast that tore through a residential building in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk, have been identified, a spokesperson of the Chelyabinsk Region branch of the Russian Emergencies Ministry said.

Axar.az reports citing TASS.

"The bodies of 22 people, including three children, have been identified," the spokesperson told reporters.

The spokesperson added that the process of identifying the bodies was planned to be continued.

A bloc of the 10-storey building in Magnitogorsk collapsed on Monday. According to the authorities, at least 37 people, including six children, have been killed in the incident. Six people, including an 11-month-old boy, have been found alive and rescued from under the rubble.

The operation to clear the rubble was underway, according to the official. The spokesperson argued, that rescue workers carried out all the procedures with "maximum cautiousness."