At least 27 dead, dozens injured in petrol station explosion in Dagestan, Russia

An explosion and subsequent fire at a petrol station in Makhachkala, the capital of the southern Russian region of Dagestan, has killed at least 27 people and injured dozens more.

Ekleme: 15.08.2023 09:45:50 / Güncelleme: 15.08.2023 09:45:50 / English News
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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)