Death Toll in Petrol Station Blast in Russia's Dagestan Rises to 12

In this photo released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, smoke and fire rises after an explosion killed multiple people at a gas station in the suburbs of Dagestan capital Makhachkala in Russia's Caspian Sea region. (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)
In this photo released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, smoke and fire rises after an explosion killed multiple people at a gas station in the suburbs of Dagestan capital Makhachkala in Russia's Caspian Sea region. (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)
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Death Toll in Petrol Station Blast in Russia's Dagestan Rises to 12

In this photo released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, smoke and fire rises after an explosion killed multiple people at a gas station in the suburbs of Dagestan capital Makhachkala in Russia's Caspian Sea region. (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)
In this photo released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, smoke and fire rises after an explosion killed multiple people at a gas station in the suburbs of Dagestan capital Makhachkala in Russia's Caspian Sea region. (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)

The death toll in an explosion at a petrol station in Russia's Caspian Sea region of Dagestan has risen to 12, including two children, the emergencies ministry said on Saturday.
The blast, which occurred on Friday outside the regional capital of Makhachkala, also injured 23 people, it said.
Healthcare minister aide Alexei Kuznetsov said that four people remained in hospitals, including one in serious condition, Russian state news agency RIA reported.
According to Reuters, Dagenergo, the regional power operator, said on Friday the blast damaged "energy objects" and that power supply was partially disrupted in nearby districts. An emergency regime was declared in the district, local authorities said.
A local branch of the Investigative Committee, which deals with serious crimes in Russia, said it had opened a criminal case and was establishing the circumstances of the incident.
Local authorities declared Sept. 28 a day of mourning in the region.



Khamenei Calls on Muslims to Confront Israel

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, September 25, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, September 25, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
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Khamenei Calls on Muslims to Confront Israel

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, September 25, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, September 25, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Muslims on Saturday "to stand by the people of Lebanon and the proud Hezbollah with whatever means they have and assist them in confronting the ... wicked regime (of Israel)".

Khamenei, in a statement after the Israeli army said it had killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, said: "The fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront", state media reported, according to Reuters.

After Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah's death, Iranian media reported that General Abbas Nilforoushan, a deputy commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, had died "next to Nasrallah" in the Israeli strikes on south Beirut on Friday.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani vowed in a post on X that Nasrallah's "path will be continued and his holy goal will be realized in the liberation of Jerusalem".

Meanwhile, two regional officials briefed by Tehran told Reuters that Khamenei has been transferred to a secure location inside the country with heightened security measures in place.

The sources said Iran was in constant contact with Lebanon's Hezbollah and other parties to determine the next step after the killing of Nasrallah.