The head of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, declared today, August 15, a day of mourning for the victims of the gas station explosion. As a result of the incident, 27 people died and 75 were injured, APA reports.

“The head of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, expressing grief for the dead and condoling with their families and friends, by his decree declared August 15 a day of mourning in the Republic of Dagestan,” the press service of the head of the region told TASS.

***

At least 27 people have been killed in an explosion and fire at a petrol station in Dagestan in southern Russia, APA reports citing BBCNews.

The blast occurred in the regional capital Makhachkala, which sits on the coast of the Caspian Sea, at 21:40 local time (18:40 GMT).

Dozens of other people were injured in the incident, the exact cause of which is not yet clear.

Pictures showed a large fire lighting up the night sky and a number of fire engines at the scene.

Some 260 emergency workers have been deployed, as has an aircraft to evacuate the seriously injured to Moscow, the emergencies ministry said.

Russia's Interfax news agency quoted doctors as saying three children were among the dead.

It added that the fire had spread over an area of 600 sq m (6,460 sq ft) and that there was a danger of further explosions.

*** 06:09

A fire and explosion at a petrol station in the southern Russian region of Dagestan has killed at least 25 people, including three children, and injured dozens, the Interfax news agency said citing regional emergency medics, APA reports.

The fire started at an auto repair shop on the roadside of a highway in the Dagestani capital Makhachkala, which is located on the Caspian Sea, on Monday night and caused blasts spreading to a nearby petrol station, officials said earlier on Tuesday.

“It’s like a war here,” a witness told the Reuters news agency.

The number of people injured rose to some 66, 10 of whom are in critical condition, RIA news agency said quoting Russian Deputy Health Minister Vladimir Fisenko. Thirteen of the wounded are children, Interfax reported citing the Dagestani health ministry.

An aircraft had been dispatched to Makhachkala to evacuate the seriously injured to Moscow, Russia’s emergency situations ministry said on the Telegram messaging app.

The explosion took place at 9:40pm (18:40 GMT) on Monday night, Sergei Melikov, head of the Dagestan administration, said on Telegram.

“The reasons and type of the explosion are being clarified,” he said.

A witness quoted on Telegram by the Russian daily Izvestia said the fire started in an area where cars were parked and spread to the petrol station.

“After the explosion, everything fell on our heads, we couldn’t see anything any more,” the unnamed witness was quoted as saying.

A video posted on Telegram by the RIA news agency showed flames rising from a building, followed by a huge explosion.

The fire spread over an area of approximately 600 square metres (6,450 sq ft), the ministry said, adding that 260 firefighters were deployed.

It took firefighters more than three and a half hours to put out the fire, the TASS state news agency reported, citing a statement from the Russian emergency service.

Two people were also killed and five injured in an explosion at the Talinskoye oil field in Russia’s oil-rich Khanty-Mansiisk (Yugra) region of West Siberia, RIA reported on Monday.

According to RIA, the fire broke out in an area of 100 sq meters. It was initially unclear how the explosion occurred.

***02.51

An explosion at a car service center in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, Russia, has killed 12 people and left a total of 56 other individuals with injuries, Dagestan's health ministry said in a statement, APA reports citing Sputnik.

Earlier reports said 20 people were injured in the explosion.

"As of now, as a result of the blast at the gas station: 12 people died (including two children), 56 people were injured (including 13 children)," the ministry said.

The extent of injuries remains unclear.

An earlier warning issued by the Makhachkala city hall said that there is a threat of another explosion at the car service center.

A total of 260 people were involved in the firefighting effort late Monday. Russia's Emergencies Ministry told Sputnik the fire had been contained to an area of 600 square meters (6,460 sq feet).

The Monday incident came as reports emerged that there was also an explosion reported at the Talinskoye oil field in Russia’s Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, according to regional authorities who indicated that two people were killed and five others sustained injuries.

Of the injured, three individuals were said to be in critical condition.

***14.08.2023

23.34

At least three people were killed in an explosion at a car service station in the city of Makhachkala in Southern Russia, state news agency RIA said citing the local mayor’s office, APA reports.

“According to preliminary information, in Makhachkala, an explosion occurred in a car service building near the Globus shopping center. All emergency services are involved.”

The agency provided no details about the incident.

Unverified videos on social media showed a large fire and a voice-over saying that the incident occurred at a gas station.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency