The death toll from an explosion at a petrol station in Dagestan, a region on Russia’s Caspian Sea coast, has risen to 12, with two of the victims being children, according to a statement released by the emergencies ministry on Saturday.
The explosion, which took place on Friday near Makhachkala, the regional capital, also left 23 others injured.
Among the injured, four people remain hospitalized, with one in critical condition, reported Alexei Kuznetsov, an aide to Russia’s healthcare minister, via state news agency RIA.
In addition to the casualties, the explosion caused significant damage to nearby infrastructure.
Dagenergo, the regional power company, confirmed that the blast affected “energy objects,” leading to a partial power outage in surrounding districts.
Local authorities responded by declaring an emergency regime in the area to deal with the aftermath.
Investigators from a local branch of the Investigative Committee, which handles serious crimes in Russia, have launched a criminal case to determine the exact cause of the explosion and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In the wake of the tragedy, Dagestan’s regional authorities announced that September 28 would be observed as a day of mourning to honour the victims.
