An explosion tore through a service station in Russia's Caucasus republic of Dagestan on Friday, killing at least nine people and injuring 10 others, the emergency situations ministry said.
Two children were among the dead, the ministry added on social media network Telegram.
A previous ministry statement put the toll at five dead and three injured without giving a cause for the blast.
"The station's building is destroyed. The technical area and the cafeteria are burning over a surface of 500 square meters," the ministry then said on Telegram.
The ministry update said the fire had been brought under control but not yet extinguished.
Almost 120 rescuers were working at the scene south of Dagestan's capital Makhachkala, it added.
In August 2023, an explosion followed by a fire at a service station in a Makhachkala suburb killed 37 people and injured 119.
Such accidents are frequent in Russia where violations of safety standards and aging facilities often cause them.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.