Tragedy in Dagestan: Gas station blast claims 12 lives, many injured
9:21 AM EDT, September 28, 2024
Twelve people, including two children, died in an explosion at a gas station in Dagestan, in the North Caucasus region of Russia, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations reported on Saturday.
The explosion happened on the outskirts of the capital of Dagestan, Makhachkala. Initially, the report mentioned ten victims, but this number increased later. After firefighters extinguished the fire following the explosion, more bodies were found.
Twenty-three people were also taken to hospitals, with one of them in serious condition, Reuters reports, citing the RIA agency.
Massive explosion, rescue operation, and plumes of smoke over the station
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:
Videos also show firefighters pulling more injured people from the burnt debris:
The TASS agency published photos showing the remains of the station building:
The Investigative Committee of Dagestan has initiated a criminal case for providing services that do not meet safety requirements, resulting in the death of two or more people.
The regional authorities have declared that Saturday will be a day of mourning.
This is yet another tragedy in Dagestan. In August of last year, there was also an explosion at a gas station. At that time, 35 people died, and 115 were injured.
