5 killed, 10 injured in gas station blast in Russia's Dagestan region

Child among victims of explosion in Makhachkala city, says Emergency Situations Ministry

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) — Five people were killed and 10 were injured Friday in an explosion at a gas station in the city of Makhachkala, the administrative center of Russia's Dagestan region, according to the country's Emergency Situations Ministry.

"The number of injured in Dagestan has increased to 15 people. Five of them died, including a child," the ministry said in a statement.

The explosion caused a fire in the station that spread to an area of 500 square meters (about 5,380 sq feet), it added.

"The gas station building was destroyed. The technical station and the dining room are burning on 500 square meters. Two cars and a truck are damaged," it said.

The ministry said 119 specialists and 27 pieces of equipment were working at the site.

Following the incident, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on the possible violation of safety rules.

Kaynak: