UPDATE - 18 injured in stun grenade blast at Russian Interior Ministry vocational training center

​​​​​​​CHANGES HEADLINE, SPOT, LEDE; UPDATES INJURY TOLL, REMARKS BY OFFICIAL

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least 18 people were injured Thursday in a stun grenade explosion at an Interior Ministry vocational training center in the Russian Republic of Komi, according to the Russian state news agency RIA.

Deputy Health Minister Alexey Kuznetsov told reporters that those injured in Syktyvkar have been hospitalized.

"The condition of four people is extremely serious, five more are in serious condition, and three are in moderate condition," added Kuznetsov.

RIA reported earlier that nine people were injured, citing the region’s Health Ministry.

The ministry said 200 people were evacuated from the building after the explosion, and firefighters also extinguished a fire that broke out following the blast.

It said eight of the injured were hospitalized, and the blast occurred during training of personnel.

The regional Investigative Committee separately told RIA that an investigation has been opened into the blast, and investigators and forensic experts are working at the scene.