Massive gas station explosion in Russia leaves 35 dead, dozens injured

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A massive explosion at a gas station in Russia left at least 35 people dead and dozens injured, Russian officials said Tuesday.

Russia’s Emergency Ministry said Tuesday that an explosion Monday night on the outskirts of Makhachkala, the capital of the southern Republic of Dagestan, left a total of 105 people injured, including 35 people who ultimately succumbed to their injuries.

Dagestan Governor Sergei Melikov said three of those who died were children.

Officials said a fire started at a nearby car repair shop and spread to the gas station, prompting the blast, Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing the country’s Emergency Ministry. The subsequent fire covered an area of approximately 600 square meters, the report said.

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In this image made from video provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry press service, firefighters work 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)

Some of those injured in the explosion were airlifted to Moscow for treatment.

In this image provided by Russian Emergency Situations Ministry press service, firefighters work 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)

Russian authorities said they have launched a criminal investigation into the incident.

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Dagestan authorities said they are compensating the families of the deceased, who will receive 1 million rubles (about $10,000) each and those who were injured will receive 200,000-400,000 rubles (about $2,000-$4,000).

In this image provided by Russian Emergency Situations Ministry press service, fire is seen next to 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)

Tuesday was declared the day of mourning in Dagestan.

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In this image provided by Russian Emergency Situations Ministry press service, firefighters work 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)

Another blast Monday night in western Siberia, Russia, left two people dead and injured five more. The explosion occurred at an oil mine in the Khanty-Mansiysk region late in the evening, local authorities said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.