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Deadly blast hits Russian minibus | Deadly blast hits Russian minibus |
(about 2 hours later) | |
At least eight people have died in what Russian investigators say was a bomb attack that hit a minibus in Vladikavkaz, in the North Caucasus. | |
Investigators say the bomb was planted outside a busy market and went off as the minibus arrived at a bus stop. | Investigators say the bomb was planted outside a busy market and went off as the minibus arrived at a bus stop. |
Earlier, officials said 11 people were killed in the explosion. | |
Vladikavkaz is the capital of North Ossetia which has, like neighbouring Ingushetia and Chechnya, suffered sporadic violence from militant groups. | Vladikavkaz is the capital of North Ossetia which has, like neighbouring Ingushetia and Chechnya, suffered sporadic violence from militant groups. |
Female bomber? | |
The explosion happened at about 1415 local time (1115 GMT) as passengers were getting off the packed minibus, Russian officials say. | The explosion happened at about 1415 local time (1115 GMT) as passengers were getting off the packed minibus, Russian officials say. |
The blast was caused by an improvised explosive device, fragments of which have now been found, local investigators say. | The blast was caused by an improvised explosive device, fragments of which have now been found, local investigators say. |
They say the attack was well prepared and believe that the bomb may have been detonated by a female suicide attacker. | |
More than 20 people, including a child, are being treated in hospital. Russian television showed rows of ambulances and fire engines, and a police cordon round the area. | More than 20 people, including a child, are being treated in hospital. Russian television showed rows of ambulances and fire engines, and a police cordon round the area. |
So far nobody has claimed responsibility for the explosion. | So far nobody has claimed responsibility for the explosion. |
North Ossetia was the scene of the Beslan school siege in 2004, when pro-Chechen militants seized schoolchildren and teachers. It ended with more than 300 people dead after a bungled assault by Russian troops. | North Ossetia was the scene of the Beslan school siege in 2004, when pro-Chechen militants seized schoolchildren and teachers. It ended with more than 300 people dead after a bungled assault by Russian troops. |
Neighbouring Ingushetia suffers almost daily shoot-outs and explosions. | Neighbouring Ingushetia suffers almost daily shoot-outs and explosions. |
The Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia - scene of a brief war between Russia and Georgia in August - also borders on North Ossetia. Thousands of Russian troops remain in South Ossetia. | The Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia - scene of a brief war between Russia and Georgia in August - also borders on North Ossetia. Thousands of Russian troops remain in South Ossetia. |