Massive explosion at gas station in Russia’s Dagestan kills 30
NBCAug 02, 2023
The Facts
On Monday evening, an explosion at a gas station in the southern Russian region of Dagestan — caused by a fire at a nearby building — killed at least 35 and injured dozens more.
According to Russia's Emergency Ministry, the fire — which spanned 600 square meters on the outskirts of the regional capital Makhachkala — injured at least 105 people.
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
Russian authorities are already conducting a probe into this tragedy to determine whether safety protocols were violated or it was a result of arson. Moscow will do everything possible to save lives and bring potential wrongdoers to justice.
Anti-Russia narrative
As Russian gas emits methane at rates eight times higher than the EU's domestic sources, reliance on Putin's petrol industry exacerbates security concerns and global warming. The EU, in particular, should implement measures such as accurate methane reporting, increasing renewable energy, and diversifying gas imports, to reduce Russia's geopolitical leverage and environmental impact.