Blast Kills Seven in Central Moscow, More Blasts Warned

Blast Kills Seven in Central Moscow

A rush hour explosion that hit central Moscow Tuesday afternoon has killed seven people and injured 33 others.

The blast occurred at around 18:00 local time (1400 GMT) at an underground passage near Pushkinskaya Ploshchad, a public square not far away from the Kremlin.

A Xinhua reporter at the scene saw blood stains in the clearing below the monument to Alexander Pushkin, the great Russian poet.

Law enforcement agents have reportedly defused a second explosive device in the passage way as the Federal Security Service (FSB) warned of more possible terrorist acts in the capital city.

Witnesses said the blast happened at one of the kiosks in the underground passage way.

This has been the most powerful blast hitting Moscow so far this year.

In 1999, Moscow was shocked by a series of apartment building explosions that left hundreds of people dead and numerous more injured. Authorities linked the blasts to Chechen separatists.

Emergency workers are still working at the scene but traffic control has been somewhat eased. Traces of explosives could still be smelt in the air following a bout of light rain.

Smoke could still be seen billowing from the walkway exit near the monument to Pushkin.

A police office at the scene said the Pushkin square will be closed until Wednesday.

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov, who rushed to the scene shortly after the blast, branded the incident as a terrorist attack.

The fact that the bombing occurred in a crowded area during rush hour is indicative of this, Interfax quoted Luzhkov as saying.

City police have been put on heightened alert in the wake of the blast and the Interior Ministry said underground walkways and other crowded areas will be thoroughly checked.

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