An explosion at a petrol station in southern Russia has killed at least 35 people and injured dozens more.

At 21:40 lAn explosion at a petrol station in southern Russia has killed at least 35 people and injured dozens more.

At 21:40 local time (18:40 GMT), the blast struck Makhachkala, on the coast of the Caspian Sea.

Several fire engines were seen at the scene and a large fire lit up the night sky.

Local media reports that the fire started at a car repair shop near the petrol station.

Following the deadly blast, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences.

Kumtorkalinsky district in Dagestan has declared a state of emergency, according to regional head Sergei Melikov.

A total of 260 emergency workers have been deployed, while the most seriously injured have been evacuated by air to Moscow.

The ministry said rescue operations are ongoing. More bodies are being discovered as emergency services clear the rubble.

Doctors told Interfax that tAn explosion at a petrol station in southern Russia has killed at least 35 people and injured dozens more.

At 21:40 lAn explosion at a petrol station in southern Russia has killed at least 35 people and injured dozens more.

At 21:40 local time (18:40 GMT), the blast struck Makhachkala, on the coast of the Caspian Sea.

Several fire engines were seen at the scene and a large fire lit up the night sky.

Local media reports that the fire started at a car repair shop near the petrol station.

Following the deadly blast, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences.

Kumtorkalinsky district in Dagestan has declared a state of emergency, according to regional head Sergei Melikov.

A total of 260 emergency workers have been deployed, while the most seriously injured have been evacuated by air to Moscow.

The ministry said rescue operations are ongoing. More bodies are being discovered as emergency services clear the rubble.

Doctors told Interfax that three children were among the dead.

According to the report, the fire had spread over an area of 600 square meters (6,460 square feet) and further explosions were possible.

According to Russian newspaper Izvestia, the fire began in a car park opposite the petrol station.

“After the explosion, everything fell on our heads. We were unable to see anything,” the witness said.

According to the Investigative Committee of Russia, the fire broke out during some car maintenance work and was “followed by a bang”.

According to the committee, a criminal investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Dagestan is the southernmost of the 83 constituent parts of the Russian Federation. Moscow is about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) away from Makhachkala.ocal time (18:40 GMT), the blast struck Makhachkala, on the coast of the Caspian Sea.

Several fire engines were seen at the scene and a large fire lit up the night sky.

Local media reports that the fire started at a car repair shop near the petrol station.

Following the deadly blast, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences.

Kumtorkalinsky district in Dagestan has declared a state of emergency, according to regional head Sergei Melikov.

A total of 260 emergency workers have been deployed, while the most seriously injured have been evacuated by air to Moscow.

The ministry said rescue operations are ongoing. More bodies are being discovered as emergency services clear the rubble.

Doctors told Interfax that three children were among the dead.

According to the report, the fire had spread over an area of 600 square meters (6,460 square feet) and further explosions were possible.

According to Russian newspaper Izvestia, the fire began in a car park opposite the petrol station.

“After the explosion, everything fell on our heads. We were unable to see anything,” the witness said.

According to the Investigative Committee of Russia, the fire broke out during some car maintenance work and was “followed by a bang”.

According to the committee, a criminal investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Dagestan is the southernmost of the 83 constituent parts of the Russian Federation. Moscow is about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) away from Makhachkala.hree children were among the dead.

According to the report, the fire had spread over an area of 600 square meters (6,460 square feet) and further explosions were possible.

According to Russian newspaper Izvestia, the fire began in a car park opposite the petrol station.

“After the explosion, everything fell on our heads. We were unable to see anything,” the witness said.

According to the Investigative Committee of Russia, the fire broke out during some car maintenance work and was “followed by a bang”.

According to the committee, a criminal investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Dagestan is the southernmost of the 83 constituent parts of the Russian Federation. Moscow is about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) away from Makhachkala.ocal time (18:40 GMT), the blast struck Makhachkala, on the coast of the Caspian Sea.

Several fire engines were seen at the scene and a large fire lit up the night sky.

Local media reports that the fire started at a car repair shop near the petrol station.

Following the deadly blast, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences.

Kumtorkalinsky district in Dagestan has declared a state of emergency, according to regional head Sergei Melikov.

A total of 260 emergency workers have been deployed, while the most seriously injured have been evacuated by air to Moscow.

The ministry said rescue operations are ongoing. More bodies are being discovered as emergency services clear the rubble.

Doctors told Interfax that three children were among the dead.

According to the report, the fire had spread over an area of 600 square meters (6,460 square feet) and further explosions were possible.

According to Russian newspaper Izvestia, the fire began in a car park opposite the petrol station.

“After the explosion, everything fell on our heads. We were unable to see anything,” the witness said.

According to the Investigative Committee of Russia, the fire broke out during some car maintenance work and was “followed by a bang”.

According to the committee, a criminal investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Dagestan is the southernmost of the 83 constituent parts of the Russian Federation. Moscow is about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) away from Makhachkala