What caused the Moscow blast?

20 Dec, 2008 18:30 / Updated 15 years ago

Nine people, including a child, have been injured in a blast at a market in the South of Moscow. Fireworks were initially blamed for the explosion, but Moscow police now say a home-made bomb went off.

It contained no strike elements and caused little damage. The incident took place at one of the trading stands selling clothes at 15:20 Moscow time. Six people were injured and have been hospitalized. The others received emergency medical aid at the scene. Police and emergency services have evacuated all the people from the market and sealed off the area. “Currently policemen and investigators from the Moscow Investigation Department are working at the scene. A criminal case is about to be instituted,” said Moscow police spokesman Viktor Biryukov. According to the Russian law, the crime is falling under hooliganism definition.