7 dead, dozens missing in Russia gas explosion

MOSCOW, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has increased to seven in a household gas explosion in Russia, and dozens more remain missing, the Emergencies Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

A total of 12 people were pulled out from the debris, seven of whom were confirmed dead and five were hospitalized, said the statement.

Search operations for the missing are underway.

A gas explosion on Monday rocked a 10-story residential building in the city of Magnitogorsk, 1,400 km east of Moscow.

President Vladimir Putin visited the site of the accident in the mining city, according to the Kremlin.