4 Kids Among 9 Dead In Cylinder Explosion On Russia's Sakhalin Island

Four children were among nine victims who died after a gas cylinder exploded in Tymovskoye on Russia’s Sakhalin island on Saturday.

A powerful explosion in Tymovskoye on Russia’s Sakhalin island killed at least nine people, including four children, on Saturday, reported news agency TASS.

The blast occurred in a five-storey apartment building. The Washington Post reported that the building in Tymovskoye town collapsed after a cylinder exploded. Around 33 people were presumed to have been living in the building, which was built in the 1980s.

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The region's governor Valery Limarenko told the Rossia 24 television channel: "Nine people were killed, including four children." The Russian Emergencies Ministry said 60 rescuers had been deployed.

Some of the bodies have been pulled out of the debris while a search is on for others who could be trapped under the rubble.

Those affected by the explosion have been offered temporary shelter and the homeless families will be paid 500,000 rubles (around $8,217). News agency AP reported that families of the victims are likely to receive one million rubles as compensation.