Fuel Station Blast Leaves 35 Dead, Several Injured In Russia

Over 35 people were killed in an explosion that generated a massive blaze at a petrol station in Russia's remote Caucasus republic of Dagestan.

Images released by the emergency ministry showed burnt-out cars silhouetted by the immense blaze and rescue workers in helmets attempting to extinguish the fire and clear the rubble.

Local officials said that 35 persons had died and 64 had been injured; they had previously reported that 80 had been hurt.

President Putin expressed his most heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the tragedy victims in Dagestan and wished the victims a speedy recovery.

The explosion occurred at a petrol station in Makhachkala after a fire broke out, according to the regional section of the investigative committee, which investigates serious accidents, which was announced on social media.

Russia's national investigating committee said the fire started in a car repair service building and spread to an adjacent room where flammable fertiliser was stored, resulting in an explosion.

According to the report, investigators have initiated a criminal investigation into providing services that did not fulfil safety standards.

 The emergency ministry, state-run news agencies TASS and Ria Novosti claimed the fire had been extinguished.

Makhachkala, a Caspian Sea city of approximately 600,000 people, is the capital of Dagestan, a Russian republic bordering Chechnya.

According to a witness published by the Russian daily newspaper Izvestia, the fire started in a parking lot and spread to the gas station.

The emergency ministry published video footage of firefighters attempting to extinguish big flames near burnt-out automobiles as rescue personnel surveyed the ruins of a structure with flashlights.

According to the ministry, the fire had extended over 600 square metres (6,450 square feet), adding that 260 firemen had been dispatched.