A University building partially collapsed Saturday afternoon in the Russian city of ST Petersburg, local media reported. No casualties were reported although authoritiesevacuated 86 people.

The five-STory building is owned by Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics University (ITMO). The collapse occurred when lectures were in progress.

Emergency workers outside the building of ITMO University /VCG photo

Earlier reports said that 21 were trapped under rubble but the University rector, VladimirVasylyev, later said that was incorrect. Theemergency services confirmed that 86 people were safely evacuated from the building.

ST Petersburg Acting Governor Alexander Beglov told reporters that the collapse might be related to the reconSTruction of the building.

ST Petersburg Acting Governor Alexander Beglov STands next to an ambulance vehicle outside the building of ST Petersburg's ITMO University. / VCG photo

A criminal inveSTigation into the collapse has been launched, according to Russia's InveSTigative Committee.

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