The incident occurred at around 21:40 local time (18:40 GMT) on Tuesday. Photographs from the scene show a large fire illuminating the night sky, with several fire trucks present.

The emergencies ministry has dispatched over 260 emergency personnel to the scene, along with an aircraft to transport seriously injured victims to Moscow.

Reports from local sources indicate that three children are among the dead. The fire has reportedly spread across an area measuring 600 square meters (6,460 square feet), raising concerns about the potential for further explosions.

A witness, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted that the fire originated from a car lot opposite the petrol station. They described the aftermath of the explosion as disorienting, with debris falling around them, obscuring their vision.

Russia's Investigative Committee has released information stating that the fire ignited during routine vehicle maintenance and was subsequently followed by a significant explosion. A criminal investigation has been initiated by the Committee to ascertain the circumstances leading to this incident.

Dagestan is a constituent entity of the Russian Federation, situated in the southernmost region of the country. Makhachkala, its capital, is roughly 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) distant from Moscow.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. (ILKHA)