Summary of the Dagestan Gas Station Incident and Passenger Transfers
An official brief from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia confirms that sixteen individuals who sustained injuries in the gas station explosion near Makhachkala were evacuated to Moscow for treatment aboard an Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft. The transport, chartered by the response services, departed at 23:40 Moscow time and was scheduled to touch down at Zhukovsky Airport for continued medical care and specialist assessment. The move reflects the seriousness of the trauma involved and the availability of rapid air medical evacuation to a specialized facility far from the scene of the incident (TASS).
Earlier reports indicated that the aircraft’s departure was coordinated to maximize the speed of care for the most seriously injured. The decision to relocate patients to Moscow underscores the prioritization of comprehensive burn, trauma, and critical care capabilities that may not be readily accessible at the initial treatment site in Dagestan.
In Dagestan itself, the situation remained under careful observation. Reports from the regional health authorities stated that 47 individuals injured in the explosion at the gas station were still receiving care in hospitals within the republic, with ongoing updates expected as medical teams assess evolving needs and recovery progresses (Dagestan Health Department).
On August 15, Melikov, the head of Dagestan, provided an update on the growing number of emergency victims treated in Makhachkala, bringing the total to over 100. The regional leadership stressed the immediate mobilization of hospital resources, disaster response units, and social support services to assist families affected by the incident, while continuing to coordinate with federal agencies to ensure rapid medical evacuation and care for those requiring advanced treatment (Dagestan Administration).
According to the Dagestan Investigative Committee, the event occurred on August 14 around 10 p.m. at the intersection of Kulinskaya Street and the Federal Highway, within a vehicle maintenance building in the village of Novokuli. Investigators noted that nearby vehicles were damaged in the course of a fire that escalated into an explosion while workers were handling equipment in the vicinity. The incident prompted immediate on-site emergency response, preliminary damage assessment, and the deployment of medical teams to Triage centers and nearby hospitals to treat injured workers and bystanders (Investigative Committee of the Republic of Dagestan).
Earlier, there was an initial version circulated by regional law enforcement and the investigative authorities regarding the possible causes of the blast, the specifics of the damage, and the sequence of events that led to the explosion at the gas station. As with many complex investigations, officials emphasized that conclusions would be based on forensic analysis, witness testimony, and evidence gathered at the scene to determine responsibility and prevent recurrence (SC Judicial Department).
Throughout the response, officials reiterated the critical importance of rapid communication, clear transport arrangements, and the continuous monitoring of medical resources to handle the surge of injured individuals. Families of those affected were encouraged to follow official channels for verified information and to use authorized hotlines as the response unfolds. This coordinated approach demonstrates how regional authorities, federal agencies, and medical facilities collaborate during large-scale emergencies to stabilize victims, manage logistics, and support communities in the aftermath of a disaster (All cited sources as of the latest official updates).