The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has taken personal control of the investigation into the explosion in a multi-storey residential building in Kyiv and commissioned the State Commission on technogenic and environmental safety and emergencies to urgently consider the situation.

"I keep the situation under personal control. The Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov and the Head of the State Emergency Service Mykola Chechiotkin are at the scene of accident. From them I promptly receive information about the progress of rescue operations and investigation of the causes of the explosion. I have instructed that this issue be considered by the Commission on technogenic and environmental safety and emergencies," the Head of Government stated.

"I extend my sincere condolences to the families of the victims. According to preliminary data, two people have been killed in the accident. I hope that there will be no more victims. Our rescuers are making every effort to do so," said Denys Shmyhal.

Moreover, the Head of Government stressed that the Cabinet of Ministers will study in detail the causes of the explosion and will exert every effort to help the victims. The Government is maintaining constant contact with Kyiv city head Vitalii Klytchko and the President's Office on this issue.

According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the explosion occurred on June 21 at 10:00 in Darnytsky district in Solomiya Krushelnytska Str., 1/5, in a ten-storey residential building. Interflooring of the  4, 5, 6, 7 floors were destroyed. According to the preliminary version of the investigation, the cause of the destruction was an explosion of a gas-air mixture.

As of 2:00 p.m., rescuers evacuated 21 people, 3 people unblocked from the debris. Further evacuation of the residents of the building is underway.

There are 6 psychologists of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv, who are providing emergency psychological assistance to evacuees.