Authorities in Russia said Saturday the death toll from a blast at a service station in the North Caucasus republic of Dagestan a day earlier had risen to 13.
The Emergency Situations Ministry said on Telegram that rescuers had pulled three bodies from the rubble Saturday morning after finding 10 bodies Friday, including those of two children.
The ministry put the number of injured at 23, posting a video of firefighters and rescuers still working in the still-smoldering ruins.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said Saturday it had opened a probe into the provision of dangerous services causing multiple deaths, a crime punishable by up to a decade in prison.
Investigators said that two blasts were followed by a fire at the service station in the village of Novy Khushet, but no traces of explosives have been found.
The Emergency Situations Ministry said the fire raged over a large area and destroyed the building.
In August 2023, an explosion followed by a fire at a service station in a suburb of Dagestan’s capital Makhachkala killed 37 people and injured 119.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.
