Russian apartment block collapse: Death toll rises to 33 after gas explosion

Search crews in Russia have pulled more bodies from a huge pile of rubble where part of an apartment building collapsed, bringing the death toll to 33.

A total of eight residents remain unaccounted for as the grim recovery work entered a third night in sub zero temperatures.

A three-year-old girl was among the latest victims of the collapse of the 10-storey building in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk, Russian news agencies reported, citing the Russian emergencies ministry.

An 11-month-old boy who was found alive Tuesday nearly 36 hours after the collapse was in serious but stable condition at a children's hospital in Moscow.

Russian rescuers earlier revealed the boy survived the deadly blast and sub zero temperatures because he was in cot which remained intact despite the blast.

The ten-month-old baby, named Vanya, short for Ivan, was found with frost bitten limbs, a head injury and broken legs and was taken to hospital.

Rescuers heard crying and were able to reach the infant, despite temperatures being as low as -22C.

They spotted his leg and a pink sock.

Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said Wednesday that the boy, who was flown about 1,400 kilometers in a plane dispatched by the ministry suffered superficial head wounds but no apparent brain damage.

The prospects of finding more survivors appeared dim as the rescue effort continued from Monday's pre-dawn accident, which came after an explosion that officials say was likely caused by a gas leak.

However, a cat was pulled alive from the wreckage on Wednesday afternoon, about 60 hours after the disaster.

A day of mourning was declared in the Chelyabinsk region that includes Magnitogorsk, and residents laid flowers and placed candles at the scene.

Some Muscovites laid commemorative flowers at the entrance of the office for the regional government's representative in the capital.

President Vladimir Putin flew into Magnitogorsk late on Monday afternoon, visiting the injured in hospital and meeting with local authorities.