The FINANCIAL — According to Ria Novosti, the death toll in the explosion that partially destroyed a hospital in eastern Ukraine on January 18 has risen to five, the Ukrainian emergencies ministry said.
Hundreds were in the building in the city of Lugansk when an oxygen cylinder exploded in an intensive care unit on the fourth floor. Several stories caved in.
"Three people have been rescued from rubble, and five bodies found," the ministry said.
The country's health ministry earlier said 266 patients and 54 personnel were inside the building when the blast occurred. It said one person was killed and one seriously injured.
Initial reports said safety violations caused the oxygen cylinder to explode.
A government committee has been set up to investigate the accident. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is to fly to Lugansk soon.
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