Explosion kills 33 people including children in Russia

 

RUSSIA – Not less than 33 people, among them three children have been killed following an explosion at a petrol station in Dagestan, Southern Russia.

The explosion, according to eyewitnesses, started at a car service station very close to the petrol station, injuring dozens before spreading to the petrol station, which was completely set alight.

Corroborating this narrative, Russia’s Investigative Committee said the fire had started during some car maintenance work, followed by a bang and there after spread to the petrol station.

The fire, according to emergency service had spread over an area of 600 sq meter (6,460 sq ft) with possibility of further explosions.

We gathered that about 260 emergency workers were deployed in the quest to put the fire under control, while most of the seriously injured people have been evacuated to Moscow by air, Russian officials said.

Regional head of the district, Sergei Melikov said a state of emergency has been declared in the Kumtorkalinsky district in Dagestan, while President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to families of affected people.

A criminal case has been opened to establish the circumstances leading up to the incident, the Committee said.