Tragedy in Dagestan: Petrol station blast kills 12, injures 23

In Dagestan, an autonomous republic within the Russian Federation, a tragic event has deeply affected the local community. An explosion at a petrol station resulted in the loss of 12 lives, including two children, and injured 23 people. Regional authorities responded swiftly to this tragedy by declaring a day of mourning.

The tragic events occurred on Friday, 27 September, at a petrol station located on the road leading out of the capital of Dagestan, Makhachkala. A powerful explosion rocked the area, causing immediate fatalities and numerous injuries.

According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, twelve people, including two children, lost their lives. Twenty-three people were taken to hospital with various injuries.

Rescue services were promptly dispatched to the scene to conduct a rescue operation. The extent of the destruction and injuries was immense, significantly complicating the efforts of the rescue teams.

Dagenergo, the energy company, reported that nearby energy facilities were damaged as a result of the explosion, leading to disruptions in the power supply.

The Dagestan Investigative Committee immediately took steps to determine the causes of this tragedy. Criminal proceedings were initiated based on the article regarding the provision of services not meeting safety requirements, which led to the death of two or more people. At this stage, investigators are examining whether the explosion was due to technical neglect or violations of safety standards.

To honour the memory of the victims, local authorities in Dagestan have declared 28 September a day of mourning in the region.