Blasts Kill At Least 13 in Russia's North Caucasus

At least 13 people were killed and scores of others injured Saturday morning in several blasts in Russia's North Caucasus region bordering Chechnya, local press reported.

Eleven people were killed and scores of others wounded in a bomb explosion near the entrance to the central market in Mineralniye Vody at 10:01 a.m. local time (0701 GMT), the official Itar-Tass news agency said.

Initial investigation established that the explosive device was planted in a parking lot near the spot.

Another two people died in an explosion in Karachayevo- Cherkessia, north Caucasus, at 9:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT), according to Interfax.

In another development, six people were injured in a blast of a roadside police department in Yessentuki at 10:05 a.m. local time (0705 GMT). The injured have been taken to hospital for treatment, the office of the Russian presidential envoy to the Southern federal district was quoted as saying.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed of "the terrorist attacks" at a session in the Kremlin, Interfax said.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) has launched investigation into the incidents, the report added.






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