Moscow [Russia], August 16: At least 35 people were killed in an explosion that created a huge fire ball at a fuel station in Russia's remote Caucasus republic of Dagestan, spurring condolences from President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Images distributed by the emergencies ministry showed burnt-out cars silhouetted by the massive blaze and rescue workers in helmets attempting to put out the fire and clear rubble. Government ministries said 35 people had died and 80 had been injured.
The Kremlin issued a statement saying: "President Putin expresses his most sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the tragedy in Dagestan and wishes a speedy recovery to the victims." HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Tuesday sent a cable of condolences to Putin over the victims of the blast. In the cable, HH the Amir prayed to Almighty Allah to bestow mercy on the victims' souls, wishing speedy recovery to the injured.
HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah sent similar cables to Putin. The explosion in the city of Makhachkala happened at a fuel station after a fire broke out, the regional branch of the Investigative Committee, which probes major incidents, announced on social media. "A fire occurred during car maintenance work, followed by a bang, as a result of which people were injured and died," the committee said, adding that nearby buildings and cars were damaged.
A criminal case has been opened to establish the circumstances leading up to the fire, it added. State-run news agencies TASS and Ria Novosti reported that the fire had been extinguished, citing the ministry. Makhachkala, a city of over 600,000 on the Caspian Sea, is the capital of Dagestan, a Russian republic bordering Chechnya. The blast was heard shortly before 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Monday, Sergei Melikov, head of the Dagestan administration, announced on social media.
A witness quoted by Russian daily newspaper Izvestia said the fire started in an area where cars were parked and spread to the petrol station. "After the explosion, everything fell on our heads. We couldn't see anything any more," said the witness, who was not named. Video footage released by Russia's emergency situations ministry showed firefighters trying to extinguish huge flames near burnt-out vehicles, as rescue workers examined the rubble of a building with flashlights.
The fire had spread over an area of around 600 sq m, the ministry said, adding that 260 firefighters had been deployed to the blaze. A government Il-76 aircraft carrying medical equipment had been dispatched to Makhachkala to evacuate the seriously injured to Moscow, it added.
Melikov said that the evacuation operation had since been completed. The Dagestan government declared Aug 15 a day of mourning. "State flags will be flown at half mast throughout the country, and cultural institutions and TV channels will be asked to cancel entertainment events and programs," Melikov said. - Agencies
Source: Kuwait Times