Deadly Gas Explosion Strikes Southern Russia

A gas explosion in Cherkessk, southern Russia, killed four and injured four others. The blast partially destroyed a building, prompting a criminal investigation. Such explosions are common in Russia, with at least seven deadly incidents since 2022.

A tragic gas explosion in Cherkessk, a city in southern Russia's Karachay-Cherkessia region, resulted in the deaths of four people and injuries to four others, according to local emergency officials.

The explosion occurred early Thursday morning, severely damaging two upper floors of a five-story residential building. This incident has prompted Russian law enforcement to initiate a criminal investigation, suspecting safety violations as the cause.

Gas explosions in residential buildings are a recurring issue in Russia. In August, a similar explosion in the Ural Mountains killed 11, and reports indicate over 50 fatalities from such incidents between 2022 and August 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)