Tragic blast at Dagestan petrol station claims 12 lives

Twelve people, including two children, have died in an explosion at a petrol station in Dagestan, in the North Caucasus region of Russia, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations reported on Saturday.

The explosion occurred on the road out of the capital of Dagestan, Makhachkala. Initially, the report mentioned ten victims, but this number later increased. When firefighters extinguished the fire after the explosion, more bodies were discovered.

Twenty-three people were also taken to hospitals, with one of them in serious condition, Reuters reports, citing the RIA agency.

Recordings showing the moment of the explosion are appearing online:

Other recordings show huge plumes of dark smoke and pillars of fire rising over the station:

Still more videos show firefighters pulling more injured people from the burnt debris:

The TASS agency published photos revealing what remains of the station building:

The Investigative Committee of Dagestan has initiated a criminal case based on providing services that do not meet safety requirements and causing the death of two or more people.

The local authorities have declared that Saturday will be a day of mourning.

This is yet another tragedy in Dagestan. Last August, there was also an explosion at a petrol station. At that time, 35 people died and 115 were injured.

Source: PAP/Reuters/X/WP