At least 66 people were being treated for injuries, the health ministry said.
August 15, 2023, 4:12 AM
A gas station in the Russian town of Makhachkala, in the southern region of Dagestan, exploded on Tuesday evening, killing at least 25 and injuring dozens of others, local officials said.
Sixty-six people were being treated for injuries at hospitals, with 10 in serious condition, the health ministry said. Three children were among the dead, officials said.
This handout photograph taken and released by Russian Emergency Ministry on August 14, 2023, shows rescuers pushing out a fire at a gas station in the city of Makhachkala.
Russian Emergency Ministry/AFP via Getty Images
Officials said the blaze appeared to have started in a nearby car before spreading to the gas station. Two of the station’s eight tanks exploded, officials said.
Photos released by Russia’s Emergency Ministry appeared to show firefighters battling a raging blaze that had engulfed a structure and several vehicles. Images released by the agency on Tuesday morning appeared to show demolition vehicles at the site, working to clear destroyed buildings.
In this image provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry press service, firefighters try to extinguish a fire at a petrol station on a road near Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, Russia, late Monday, Aug. 14, 2023.
Ministry of Emergency Situations press service via AP
The gas supply nearby was stopped as part of an emergency response, local officials said.
A criminal case has been initiated under the article “provision of services that do not meet the requirements for the safety of life or health of consumers, resulting in the death of two or more persons by negligence,” local officials said.
Makhachkala, which is the capital of the Dagestan region, is a port city on the Caspian Sea.
ABC News’ William Gretsky contributed to this story.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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