UPDATED: Missing woman, infant found dead after explosion in Tbilisi residential building

Updated: 18:07pm

Rescuers have found the bodies of a 30-year-old woman and her nine-month-old infant after a seven-hour search operation in a residential building in the Zemo Ponichala district of Tbilisi in the wake of a powerful explosion earlier today supposedly related to a gas leak.

Up to 30 rescuers were sent in to look for missing people, the second, third and fourth floors were completely destroyed.

Three other people, who have received serious burns due to the explosion, remain in hospital. Doctors say that though their condition is severe, they are stable.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is investigating the case.

Earlier: 15:15pm

The explosion, which supposedly took place because of the gas leak, in a residential building of the Ponichala district of Tbilisi, has left three heavily injured, while two are still missing.

The explosion was so strong that it seriously damaged and destroyed the part of the third and fourth floors of the building.

Members of one family- a man aged 44, a young man aged 24 and a child aged 12 have received burns.

Doctors say that more than 40 percent of the body of the 44-year-old man has been burnt, while the 24-year-old man has 50 per cent of his body burnt and a child-12 per cent.

A woman and a minor are missing, who supposedly emerged under debris.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze says that the people from the building have been evacuated and they will be provided by accommodations until the Tbilisi City Hall employees check the building and carry out all necessary works there.

Head of the Emergency Management Service Shalva Khutsishvili stated that 30 rescuers are at the scene and they are trying to find the missing people.

Situation is complicated as working inside the building carries risks,” he stated.

Doctors say that the condition of three patients is heavy, but stable for now.