Deadly Russian apartment explosion

In this photo distributed by Astrakhan branch of the Ministry for Emergency Situations a general view of an apartment building after an explosion on Monday morning, Feb. 27, 2012, in Astrakhan, Russia. Such gas explosions are frequent in Russia.(AP Photo/ Astrakhan Branch, Ministry of Emergency Situations Press Service, HO)
In this photo distributed by Astrakhan branch of the Ministry for Emergency Situations a general view of an apartment building after an explosion on Monday morning, Feb. 27, 2012, in Astrakhan, Russia. Such gas explosions are frequent in Russia.(AP Photo/ Astrakhan Branch, Ministry of Emergency Situations Press Service, HO)

An explosion apparently caused by natural gas has heavily damaged a nine-story apartment building in southern Russia, leaving two people dead and 12 injured on Feb. 27.