Moscow:A horrifying incident unfolded late on Monday in the southern Russian region of Dagestan, as a devastating fire at a petrol station led to the tragic deaths of at least 30 people, including three children. The grim news was confirmed by Russia's emergency services ministry on Tuesday.

The heart-wrenching event took place in the capital of Dagestan, Makhachkala, when a fire initially erupted at an auto repair shop situated alongside a road. The flames quickly escalated, leading to explosive reactions as they spread to the adjacent petrol station. Local officials described the scene as resembling a war zone, a testament to the intensity and ferocity of the blaze.

Images released by the emergency services ministry showcased the valiant efforts of firefighters as they battled against a colossal inferno that illuminated the night sky with its fierce flames. Video footage captured a one-story building consumed by the conflagration, underscoring the extent of the devastation.

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A statement shared on the Telegram messaging platform by the emergency services ministry revealed a grim update: "the bodies of three more victims were found" during the painstaking rescue operation in Makhachkala. The ministry conveyed that the latest information confirmed a tragic toll of 30 lives lost and 105 individuals injured as a dire consequence of the petrol station fire.

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Earlier reports from Interfax, which drew from data provided by the Dagestani health ministry, indicated that among the injured, 13 were children – magnifying the tragedy's heartrending impact. According to statements released by the Russian emergency service, it took the relentless efforts of firefighters over a span of more than three and a half hours to quell the raging flames that swiftly devoured an area spanning 600 square meters (715 square yards).

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This catastrophe serves as a somber reminder of the immediate and profound consequences that such incidents can bring about. As investigations into the cause of the fire unfold, the affected community in Dagestan and the nation at large grapple with the painful aftermath, mourning the lives lost and rallying to support those who have been deeply affected by this devastating tragedy