At least 33 people have been killed and 100 injured in a deadly explosion and fire at a petrol station in Makhachkala, the capital city of Russia’s Dagestan republic. The incident occurred during maintenance work at a car service station, leading to a fire and subsequent explosion. The blast caused significant damage to nearby buildings and vehicles. The previous death toll of 27 has been updated by the health ministry, which also confirmed that three children were among those who lost their lives.
Makhachkala, situated on the Caspian Sea, has a population of over 600,000 and is located in the Caucasus region of Russia. Dagestan shares borders with Chechnya, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The Russian Federation’s Investigative Committee for Dagestan reported that a fire broke out during the maintenance work, resulting in the tragic incident.
Upon learning of the devastating fire, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences and wished a speedy recovery to the victims. He voiced concern over the incident, and a criminal case has been opened to investigate the circumstances leading up to the explosion. Russia’s emergency ministry reported that the fire has now been extinguished.
The explosion, which occurred on Monday evening, caused widespread destruction. A witness explained that the fire began in an area where cars were parked and then spread to the petrol station. Video footage released by Russia’s emergency situations ministry showed firefighters battling the flames and rescue workers searching through the rubble of the damaged building.
Efforts were made to evacuate the seriously injured individuals to Moscow. A government aircraft carrying medical equipment was dispatched for this purpose, and the evacuation has now been completed. The government of Dagestan has declared August 15 as a day of mourning, with state flags flown at half mast throughout the country. In addition, cultural institutions and TV channels have been asked to cancel entertainment events and programs as a mark of respect.
This tragic incident in Makhachkala serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety measures and the need for constant vigilance to prevent such incidents. Investigations into the incident will aim to determine the exact cause of the explosion and fire. It is hoped that the authorities can learn from this tragic event to prevent similar incidents in the future, and that the families and friends of the victims find comfort and support during this difficult time.
