Death toll of Russian gas station explosion rises to 30

MOSCOW -- The death toll from a gas station explosion in Russia's Republic of Dagestan rose to 30, including three children, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Tuesday.

On Monday evening, an auto repair shop on the outskirts of Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, caught fire, which spread to a nearby gas station and resulted in an explosion.

The fire engulfed an area of 600 square meters and was extinguished at 01:21 am Tuesday local time (2221 GMT Monday). Seventy-five people were injured.

According to the report, an investigation is underway, and a criminal case has been initiated concerning the incident.