A massive explosion at a petrol station in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan killed 30 people and injured more than 100, local officials said on Tuesday.
ADVERTISEMENTA massive explosion at a petrol station in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan killed at least 35 people and injured more than 100 others, local officials said on Tuesday.
Russia's Health Ministry said 115 people were injured in the blast and subsequent fire, and that three children were among the dead.
A total of 65 of those injured, including 16 children, remained hospitalised as of midday Tuesday, the ministry said. Eleven people, including two children, were in grave condition.
The explosion occurred Monday night on the outskirts of Makhachkala, the region's capital. A fire started at a car repair shop and spread to a nearby gas station, triggering the blast.
Families of the dead will receive 1 million rubles (about €9,000) each and the injured between 200,000 and 400,000 rubles (about €1,800 - €3,600), Dagestan’s authorities said. Russian state media said some of those injured would be airlifted to Moscow for treatment. Makhachkala is about 1,600 kilometres south of Moscow.
The authorities have begun a criminal investigation. Tuesday was declared a day of mourning in Dagestan.
Across Russia, in western Siberia, another explosion killed two people and injured five others on Monday night. The explosion occurred late in the evening at an oil mine in the Khanty-Mansiysk region, local authorities said.