Oil depot explodes in Russia’s south

28 Mar, 2008 10:22 / Updated 16 years ago

A fierce fire, caused by the explosion of an oil depot in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan on Thursday, has now been extinguished. Dozens of fire crews fought the blaze for almost 18 hours.

A tank containing 6,000 tonnes of oil blew up on Thursday evening covering a large part of the capital Makhachkala with thick smoke. A female worker was taken to hospital with severe burnsand is said to be in a critical condition. Investigators will work at the scene as soon as the last remains of oil burn out. No official word on what caused the blast has been announced yet.