Prime Minister Pavel Filip convoked the Commission for Emergencies in connection with the blast that occurred in an apartment building at 11/5 Moscovei Blvd in Chisinau in the evening of October 6. The Premier requested the responsible bodies to create all the conditions needed for the victims to be provided with lodgings and food and to offer the necessary medical assistance to those hurt. A technical examination of the block and a financial assessment were requested to gauge the extent of the caused damage, IPN reports.

According to the head of the General Inspectorate for Emergencies Mihail Harabagiu, the explosion occurred at 10:42pm. When employees of the Inspectorate arrived at the scene, they established that the blast affected apartments from the 14th, 15th ,16th and 17th floors. The bodies of a woman and a child were found under the debris. A man died later in the hospital.

The evacuated persons were accommodated in the sports hall of the Saint Trinity Hospital. Some of these chose to go to relatives and friends. The operation at the scene goes on. More persons could be yet found under the debris. It is not yet known what caused the explosion, but a gas cylinder with the valve on was found at the 16th floor.

Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Silvia Radu said nine persons were taken to the hospital and two of these remained hospitalized in the morning – a woman who suffered serious injuries and a fireman whose state of health is now stable.

General Police Inspectorate chief Alexandru Pînzari said it is expected that an elderly woman is also under the ruins.

According to deputy mayor of Chisinau Nistor Grozavu, 200 persons live in the block rocked by the blast. Ten apartments were damaged. The dwellers of five of the apartments will be lodged for a longer period. A technical examination of the building is necessary. The engineering system and the elevator need to be repaired.