A devastating explosion and fire at a petrol station in Dagestan, located in southern Russia, have resulted in the loss of at least 27 lives. The explosion occurred in the regional capital, Makhachkala, situated along the coast of the Caspian Sea, at approximately 21:40 local time (18:40 GMT).
The exact cause of the blast remains uncertain, but it has inflicted numerous injuries on top of the fatalities. The incident caused a large fire that illuminated the night sky and prompted the response of multiple fire engines.
In response to the tragedy, around 260 emergency personnel have been dispatched to the site, and an aircraft has been mobilized to transfer critically injured victims to Moscow, as confirmed by the emergencies ministry. The Interfax news agency of Russia reported that among the victims were three children.
The fire, which spread across an area of approximately 600 square meters (6,460 square feet), carried the risk of further explosions, according to sources. An unnamed witness conveyed to the Russian newspaper Izvestia that the fire had originated from a car lot opposite the petrol station. The witness recounted, “After the explosion, everything fell on our heads. We couldn’t see anything anymore.”
Russia’s Investigative Committee disclosed that the fire ignited during vehicle maintenance and was followed by a powerful detonation. In response to the incident, a criminal case has been initiated to ascertain the events leading up to the explosion.
Dagestan, one of Russia’s 83 constituent parts, is the southernmost region of the country. Makhachkala, where the tragedy occurred, is situated approximately 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) away from Moscow.
