Moscow, Aug 15 (AFP\/APP): At least 35 people were killed in an explosion that created a huge fire ball at a fuel station in Russia’s remote Caucasus republic of Dagestan, spurring condolences from President Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n
Images distributed by the emergencies ministry showed burnt-out cars silhouetted by the massive blaze and rescue workers in helmets attempting to put out the fire and clear rubble.<\/p>\n
Government ministries said 35 people had died and 80 had been injured.
\nThe Kremlin issued a statement saying: “President Putin expresses his most sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the tragedy in Dagestan and wishes a speedy recovery to the victims.”<\/p>\n
The explosion in the city of Makhachkala happened at a fuel station after a fire broke out, the regional branch of the Investigative Committee, which probes major incidents, announced on social media.<\/p>\n
“A fire occurred during car maintenance work, followed by a bang, as a result of which people were injured and died,” the committee said, adding that nearby buildings and cars were damaged.<\/p>\n
A criminal case has been opened to establish the circumstances leading up to the fire, it added.<\/p>\n
– ‘Couldn’t see anything’ –<\/p>\n
State-run news agencies TASS and Ria Novosti reported that the fire had been extinguished, citing the ministry.<\/p>\n
Makhachkala, a city of over 600,000 on the Caspian Sea, is the capital of Dagestan, a Russian republic bordering Chechnya.<\/p>\n
The blast was heard shortly before 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Monday, Sergei Melikov, head of the Dagestan administration, announced on social media.<\/p>\n
A witness quoted by Russian daily newspaper Izvestia said the fire started in an area where cars were parked and spread to the petrol station.<\/p>\n
“After the explosion, everything fell on our heads. We couldn’t see anything anymore,” said the witness, who was not named.<\/p>\n
Video footage released by Russia’s emergency situations ministry showed firefighters trying to extinguish huge flames near burnt-out vehicles, as rescue workers examined the rubble of a building with flashlights.<\/p>\n
The fire had spread over an area of around 600 square metres (6,450 square feet), the ministry said, adding that 260 firefighters had been deployed to the blaze.<\/p>\n
A government Il-76 aircraft carrying medical equipment had been dispatched to Makhachkala to evacuate the seriously injured to Moscow, it added.<\/p>\n
Melikov said that evacuation operation had since been completed.
\nThe Dagestan government declared August 15 a day of mourning.<\/p>\n
“State flags will be flown at half mast throughout the country, and cultural institutions and TV channels will be asked to cancel entertainment events and programmes,” Melikov said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Moscow, Aug 15 (AFP\/APP): At least 35 people were killed in an explosion that created a huge fire ball at a fuel station in Russia’s remote Caucasus republic of Dagestan, spurring condolences from President Vladimir Putin. Images distributed by the emergencies ministry showed burnt-out cars […]<\/p>\n
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