KYIV (Reuters) -- The death toll from an explosion in a Ukrainian hospital has risen to 16, more than double the number reported on January 18 when the blast happened, Interfax news agency said today.
Oxygen tanks in the hospital in the eastern city of Luhansk exploded, destroying a cardiac ward. Earlier reports said seven people had been killed.
"The emergency rescue work has ended. As a result four people were rescued from under the rubble and the bodies of 16 people were found," Emergencies Ministry spokesman Igor Krol was quoted as saying.
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko rushed to the region after the explosion, which took place a day after Ukraine's presidential election.
Tymoshenko will face opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych on a February 7 runoff vote.
Oxygen tanks in the hospital in the eastern city of Luhansk exploded, destroying a cardiac ward. Earlier reports said seven people had been killed.
"The emergency rescue work has ended. As a result four people were rescued from under the rubble and the bodies of 16 people were found," Emergencies Ministry spokesman Igor Krol was quoted as saying.
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko rushed to the region after the explosion, which took place a day after Ukraine's presidential election.
Tymoshenko will face opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych on a February 7 runoff vote.
