Briefly

RUSSIA

Fire causes massive blast at fuel station

At least 35 people were killed in an explosion that created a huge fire ball at a fuel station in Russia's Republic of Dagestan, spurring condolences from President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Images distributed by the emergencies ministry showed burned-out cars silhouetted by the massive blaze and rescue workers in helmets attempting to put out the fire and clear rubble. Government ministries said 35 people had died and 80 were injured. The explosion in Makhachkala city happened at a fuel station after a fire broke out, the regional branch of the Investigative Committee, which probes major incidents, announced on social media.

ETHIOPIA

Airstrike kills at least 26 in Amhara region

An airstrike has killed at least 26 people in Ethiopia's embattled Amhara region, a hospital official and a resident told Agence France-Presse on Monday, as deadly clashes rock the region. The strike in Finote Selam town on Sunday was the most severe since clashes between members of the Ethiopian army and the local militia Fano erupted in towns and cities across Amhara after months of tensions. The hospital official said he heard the blast while he was on duty at around 7 am.

MIDDLE EAST

Israeli forces shoot dead 2 Palestinians

Israeli forces killed two Palestinians during a raid in the occupied West Bank that touched off clashes with gunmen, medical officials and residents said. In a statement, the army said troops came under fire during an operation at Aqbat Jabr camp to detain suspected Palestinian militants, and fired back. Residents also told Reuters there were armed clashes, but there was no immediate corroboration that the two fatalities, aged 16 and 25, had taken part. The raid lasted for less than an hour, they added.

Agencies via Xinhua