Natural gas explosion in Arkhangelsk kills 48

Rescue workers found the body a woman under the debris of the apartment building in Arkhangelsk that exploded, the deputy chief of the information department of the Russian Emergencies Ministry, Viktor Beltsov, reported.

"The blast killed 48 people, 27 women, 13 men and 8 children," he said.

Thirty-six victims have been identified. Two women, 18 and 60, died in the hospital.

Twelve people are in hospitals and five of them are in critical condition.

About 80 people could have lived in the section of the apartment building that exploded. According to rescue workers, there is little chance that survivors will be found.

Rescue workers are expected to work all day at the site. They have already cleared 80% of debris.

The blast, presumably a natural gas explosion, sheared off a section of an apartment building in Arkhangelsk on Tuesday night.