Moscow: Strong explosion in block of flats

The explosion took place in a block of flats in north-east Moscow at 23.10 MSK on the second floor of a five-floor block. As this article goes to press, there are rumours of one death with several people trapped under the rubble and up to eight injuries.

The first reaction of the authorities is that this explosion was caused by a gas leak, although bystanders are speaking of a terrorist attack. The explosions in several apartment blocks in Moscow in 1999 carried out by Chechen terrorists, which killed nearly 200 people, is still fresh in the minds of Muscovites. Some eyewitnesses spoke of a strong smell of gunpowder at the time of the explosion, while others spoke of a strong smell of gas.

At the time the explosion took place, the apartment block would be expected to be full, although many families take their holidays in the month of August.

Timofei BYELO PRAVDA.Ru