Gas explosion kills two in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, Nov 8 (Reuters) A gas explosion flattened part of an apartment building in Tajikistan today, killing two people including an Iranian citizen, police said.

Five people were injured in the blast which shattered windows and ruined part of the nine-storey building in the capital of the impoverished ex-Soviet state, police said.

''Violation of gas safety rules are the most likely cause,'' said Nazarboi Zhangaliyev, a police fire department official.

Accidents involving domestic gas happen often across the former Soviet bloc where countries are still struggling to upgrade ageing infrastructure and raise safety standards.

REUTERS GT BD1241