This photo shows the scene of a gas explosion in an apartment building in the republic of Tatarstan, Russia on June 22, 2018. (RIA NOVOSTI PHOTO)

MOSCOW, June 22 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and nine others were hospitalized after a gas explosion in an apartment building in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, local media reported Friday.

"Ten people were hurt, and eight of them were taken to hospital. One of those hospitalized has died. Two, including a child, are in critical condition," a spokeswoman for the regional health ministry was quoted by Tass news agency as saying.

The accident took place at 17:15 Moscow time (1415 GMT) when a gas cylinder exploded on the fifth floor of a five-story apartment building in the city of Zainsk, according to RIA Novosti news agency.

As a result, four apartments on two floors were damaged, and dozens of people were evacuated from the building after the accident, Tass reported.

Investigation was underway and a criminal case was initiated.