At least 10 people, including two children, have died following an explosion at a service station in Russia’s Caucasus republic of Dagestan on Friday.
The blast, which occurred near the capital, Makhachkala, also left 11 others injured, according to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.
The explosion tore through the station, destroying the building and igniting a fire that spread across 500 square meters, engulfing the technical area and a nearby cafeteria.
Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying nearly 120 rescuers to the scene. While the fire was brought under control, officials confirmed it had not been fully extinguished by late Friday.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, with initial reports from the ministry stating five deaths and three injuries before the toll was updated.
“The station’s building is destroyed.
“The technical area and the cafeteria are burning over a surface of 500 square metres.” The ministry posted on Telegram.
Accidents of this nature are not uncommon in Russia, where safety violations and ageing infrastructure contribute to frequent incidents.
In August 2023, a similar explosion at a service station in the same region claimed 37 lives and injured 119.