Twenty Russian soldiers have been killed after their military barracks collapsed in Siberia, a Russian defense ministry spokesman said on Monday, adding that three troops remained missing.

Twenty Russian soldiers have been killed after their military barracks collapsed in Siberia, a Russian defense ministry spokesman said on Monday, adding that three troops remained missing.

"Thirty-nine servicemen have been pulled out of the debris, the toll has gone up to 20," Igor Konashenkov told news agencies.

Earlier Monday five soldiers were missing under the rubble and 19 were hospitalized.

The accident happened on Sunday evening in the village called Svetly near the city of Omsk, 2,200 kilometers (1,400 miles) east of Moscow, at a training facility for Russian paratroopers.

"Half of the heap has been cleared now," said acting commander of Russian paratroopers Nikolai Ignatov in remarks to Rossiya 24.

A representative of the regional military investigation offices told the Interfax news agency that a probe has been launched into possible negligence.

A list of names of 15 victims published by Life News website showed male names with ages ranging from 18 to 24 years.

According to the defense military, the 242nd training centre -- where the accident occurred -- prepares junior specialists in the army, including drivers and mechanics for armored infantry vehicles.