Official channels from the Emergency Situations Ministry of the Russian Federation reported that work to clear the rubble of the partially collapsed high-rise in Belgorod has reached completion. The update underscored the rapid deployment of rescue teams and focused actions to secure the site after the blast and collapse. In the days following the incident, emergency units made coordinated efforts to search the debris for survivors and to assess structural safety for remaining sections of the building.
Authorities confirmed that 17 people were rescued from the rubble. The salvage operation involved careful shoring, debris removal, and medical triage near the collapse zone. Rescue teams worked around the clock to reach those still believed to be trapped and to provide immediate medical attention where possible.
Regrettably, the ministry reported that 15 individuals lost their lives and were recovered from the debris. Families of the victims faced the painful reality of their losses as investigators and emergency workers continued to document the incident and assess the next steps in the aftermath. The situation remained precarious for nearby structures, with ongoing concerns about secondary collapses and the stability of adjacent entrances and apartment sections.
In a broader international context, Pope Francis I conveyed condolences to the families affected by the Belgorod bombardment and condemned any attacks that harm civilians. The message emphasized the protection of innocent lives and called for restraint and humanitarian care amidst the violence that hit the region.
Footage and photographs showed the exterior of the apartment building in Belgorod, with one entrance severely damaged from the ground floor up to the tenth floor due to the explosion. The building housed multiple flats, and authorities warned that the danger of further collapse in the remaining portions of the structure persisted. Residents and responders faced a tense environment as crews worked to stabilize the site and protect those at risk nearby.
As rescue efforts continued, there were reports that some residents and visitors could be trapped under rubble in other parts of the complex. The health status of several victims, including children, remained critically serious, and medical teams described the overall situation as highly delicate. The aim of responders was to maximize survival chances while minimizing additional harm to those already affected.
Emergency service personnel conducted rubble surveys and structural assessments to determine safe access routes for rescuers. In some areas, the collapse damaged essential entry points, complicating the process of reaching people in need. Three rescuers sustained injuries during the operation, a reminder of the dangerous conditions faced by workers who navigated unstable debris and collapsing material as they carried out essential life-saving tasks.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region, arrived at the scene to oversee the response and to coordinate regional resources. He noted that Belgorod and its surrounding region had endured intense bombardment from Ukrainian forces, which had caused extensive damage to infrastructure and housing. The governor affirmed ongoing support for families affected by the disaster and outlined steps being taken to aid recovery and ensure public safety in the aftermath of the attack.
Earlier statements attributed to regional authorities indicated that several individuals had been detained for related security concerns within the Belgorod region, and that investigators were examining possible links to planned terrorist activity in nearby areas. The authorities stressed that the region would continue to monitor the security situation and take appropriate measures to protect civilians and critical facilities moving forward.