Mourning, alarm in Russia after explosion

St. Petersburg subway blast leaves 11 dead, dozens hurt

An explosion rocked a subway train in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Monday, killing 11 people, injuring dozens more and sending authorities scrambling to increase security at transportation hubs across the nation.

President Vladimir Putin, who at the time was visiting the city, Russia’s second-largest, offered condolences to victims and their families. He said the Federal Security Service and local authorities were working to confirm reports that the blast was a terrorist attack.

“We always consider all scenarios, including accidental or criminal action and, above all, those of a terrorist nature,” Putin said.

Metro stations across the city were evacuated after the midafternoon blast. Photos and video posted on social media from the scene showed a smoke-filled platform, a damaged subway train and people lying on the ground. A bomb stuffed with shrapnel was later defused at another subway station in St. Petersburg, the Interfax news agency reported, raising fears the threat was not over.

Andrei Przhezdomsky, a spokesman for the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, said the blast appeared to be caused by “an unidentified explosive device.” Interfax said the “organizer” of the blast was seen on a security camera but offered no details.

The explosion took place near the Sennaya Ploshchad station, but the train continued on to the Technological Institute platform.

St. Petersburg resident Leonid Chaika was nearby when the explosion occurred.

“I saw a lot of smoke, a crowd making its way to the escalators, people with blood ... on their clothes, bloody faces,” she told Reuters. “Many were crying.”

The anti-terrorism committee ordered tightened security at all critical transport facilities. Security was increased in Moscow’s system, and the Federal Air Transport Agency said airlines and airports were also taking additional measures.

Russia is no stranger to subway attacks. Terrorist strikes in Moscow’s transit system in 2004 and 2010 each killed at least 40 people. Both attacks were linked to Chechnyan rebels. No one immediately claimed responsibility for Monday’s blast.

Russian health minister Veronika Skvortsova said seven people died at the scene Monday, another died en route to a hospital, and three others died at the hospital, the Associated Press reported. Many survivors suffered serious injuries, and the death toll could rise. The city declared three days of mourning.