Gas station explosion in Dagestan leaves 12 dead, including children

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 road out of the capital of Dagestan, Makhachkala. Initially, the report mentioned ten victims, but this number increased later. When firefighters extinguished the fire after 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.

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:

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

The TASS agency published photos showing what’s left 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 regional authorities have decided 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.

Source: PAP/Reuters/X/WP