27 individuals, including three children, were tragically killed in an explosion and subsequent fire at a filling station in Dagestan’s capital city. Over 100 others sustained injuries, with 13 children among them.
The emergency ministry of Dagestan conveyed via Telegram that out of the 102 injured, 27 lost their lives.
Witness accounts shared with the Russian daily Izvestia indicated the fire ignited where cars were parked, later engulfing the petrol station. The disaster on the outskirts of Makhachkala covered about 6,450 square feet, necessitating 260 firefighters to combat the blaze.
Ria’s Telegram update described the harrowing scene: “Post-explosion, debris rained down, making visibility nearly impossible.” They also shared footage depicting the massive explosion’s onset.
Ria’s coverage explained that on the evening of August 14, a vehicular service area caught fire near Makhachkala, leading to the blaze’s spread to the gas station and the subsequent explosion—efforts to contain the emergency involved over 70 personnel and 20 equipment units. The open flames were successfully extinguished.
Viktor Fisenko, First Deputy Minister of Health of Russia, travelled to Dagestan to ensure proper medical care for the survivors. A specialized Ministry of Emergency Situations aircraft will transport the injured to Moscow hospitals.
Dagestan’s leader, Melikov, assured the affected families would receive material and psychological support.
