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Explosion kills 13 at petrol station in Russia’s Dagestan region

Two children were among the dead in Makhachkala.

Smoke and fire rises after an explosion killed multiple people at a petrol station in the suburbs of Dagestan capital Makhachkala (Russian Emergency Ministry/AP)
Smoke and fire rises after an explosion killed multiple people at a petrol station in the suburbs of Dagestan capital Makhachkala (Russian Emergency Ministry/AP) (AP)
By Associated Press Reporters

An explosion at a petrol station in Russia’s southern region of Dagestan has killed at least 13 people.

The blast on Friday triggered a fire that tore through the site, including a cafeteria, on the outskirts of the regional capital, Makhachkala, Russia’s emergencies ministry said.

Two children were among the dead and the fire has been extinguished.

Makhachkala is about 1,600km (990 miles) south of Moscow.

Regional authorities said a criminal investigation into the cause of the explosion has been opened and Saturday has been declared a day of mourning in Dagestan.

Last August, a massive explosion at a gas station in Dagestan killed 35 people and injured 115 more.