Twin blast in Dagestan kills over a dozen

More than 12 people have been killed and up to 100 others injured as two powerful explosions hit Makhachkala, the capital city of Dagestan in southern Russia, RT reported, citing security services.


The first bomb was detonated by a suicide car bomber not far from a police checkpoint on the outskirts of Makhachkala. The second bomb, which caused most of the casualties, struck when rescuers came to the scene 20 minutes later. The blast caused a fire but it was soon extinguished.


The combined power of the blasts was equivalent to 60 kg of TNT, according to officials from the National Antiterrorism Committee. The incidents are being treated as terror attacks.


According to Interior Ministry sources, the death toll has exceeded 12. There have been conflicting reports on casualties. Earlier, antiterrorism officials announced that 10 people had been killed.
 

“According to preliminary data, 10 people have been killed and more than 30 taken to city hospitals following two explosions. Among the dead and injured are police officers, emergency service workers and civilians,” an official from the National Antiterrorism Committee told Interfax news agency.


Russia’s southern republic of Dagestan is notorious for its numerous militant attacks both on the police and the civilian population.