At least 33 die in inferno at petrol station in Dagestan southern Russia
An explosion and fire at a petrol station in Dagestan, southern Russia, has claimed the lives of at least 33 people.
The blast erupted in the regional capital, Makhachkala, on the coast of the Caspian Sea, at 21:40 local time (18:40 GMT) on Monday.
Local media says the fire began at a car service near the petrol station and injured dozens more people.
Some 260 emergency workers have been set to the scene.
The fire had spead over an area of 600 sq m and there is a danger of further explosions. A state of emergency has been declared in the Kumtorkalinsky district in Dagestan.