Shrapnel bombings, designed to cause untold pain and suffering — timed on the day Putin was in town.
Usually comprised of nails, ball bearings, needles or other small metal objects tearing through human flesh, these shards are the leading cause of death and injury following the explosion of a shrapnel bomb. At least 10 people were killed and dozens injured Monday after an explosion rocked the subway system in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, Russian officials said, in what President Vladimir Putin called a possible act of terror.
St Petersburg metro explosion: Live updates after shrapnel bomb leaves at least 10 dead and dozens injured
Disturbing photographs show many people lying injured on the floor after explosions on the Russian city’s underground network
At least 10 people have been killed after a shrapnel bombing on the underground system in the Russian city of St Petersburg.
Horrific images from the scene show bloodied commuters lying on platforms after the explosion in between the busy Sennaya Ploshchad and Institute of Technology stations.
Russian officials say an improvised explosive device was to blame for the carnage – and a second device was found at the Ploshchad Vosstaniya before it could detonate.
Shocking video footage also shows witnesses desperately trying to free victims from a badly damaged train.
It comes on the day the Russian president Vladimir Putin visited the city.
One image shows the side of a train carriage badly damaged, with its steel doors twisted and burnt.
We’ll be bringing you the latest updates on this developing news story.
Only one explosion, not two as previously thought
There was only one blast on board a train in between two stations – not two separate blasts, as initially reported by some Russian media.
“There was one blast in one site in between (stations) as the train arrived at the Technology Institute station from Sennaya (Ploshchad) station,” a source told Reuters.
Russian media reported earlier that there were two blasts. Ten people have been killed in the incident, authorities said.
A woman covered in blood walks away from the scene (Photo: PITER.TV)
Joshua Taylor
Video shows smoke-filled platform
Dramatic video footage shows the smoke-filled platform after the explosion.
Passengers look confused and unsettled as smoke fills the area.
A railway worker is also seen on a radio attempting to find out what has happened.
On smoke-filled platform directly after St Petersburg blast
Joshua Taylor
Attack comes weeks after ISIS cell was discovered in Russia
Today’s bombings on the St Petersburg metro system come just weeks after an ISIS cell reportedly planned to attack the city.
Russian news agency Interfax said 11 ISIS affiliates were arrested in January for plotting attacks on Moscow and St Petersburg.
Andrew Przhezdomsky, from Russia’s national anti-terrorist committee, said at the time: “All members of the cell were familiar with each other, were from central Asian countries (and were) preparing attacks using improvised explosive devices in the territory of Moscow, St Petersburg, the Sverdlovsk region.”
An injured person is taken to hospital from Sennaya Ploshchad metro station (Photo: REUTERS)
KEY EVENT
Another explosive device found
Another improvised explosive device has been found, according to reports.
The device did not explode and was ‘detoxified’ by the authorities.
It was discovered at Ploshchad Vosstaniya station.
The previous bombs went off at 2.30pm at the Institute of Technology and Sennaya Ploshchad metro stations.
Joshua Taylor
‘Improvised explosive device’ used in explosion
An Intefax source says the incident was not a suicide bombing.
An improvised explosive device was reportedly used.
It is not yet known who detonated the devices.
Commuters rush to the aid of the injured (Photo: Twitter)
Joshua Taylor
Statement from Vladimir Putin
President Putin has spoken about the tragedy, according to openrussia.org…
I express my words of sincere regret, sympathy to relatives of the victims.
I’ve already talked to the heads of the special services, the director of the FSB.
The law enforcement bodies and special services will work to make every effort to ascertain the reasons for the incident to give a full assessment of what happened.
The city and federal authorities will, if necessary, take all measures to support the families of those killed and injured.
Joshua Taylor
At least 50 people injured
At least 50 people have been injured in the tragedy, with 10 people confirmed dead so far.
It comes after two separate shrapnel bomb blasts at the city’s Institute of Technology and Sennaya Ploshchad metro stations.
The blast happened at 2.30pm local time on the blue line of the underground system.
Joshua Taylor
Blasts at ‘two stations’
The authorities are investigating blasts at two stations, according to reports.
Reuters reported that there were two explosions on two carriages at two metro stations.
So far at least 10 have been killed and many more injured.
Joshua Taylor
Photos show scale of devastation
These photos show the scale of the devastation today in St Petersburg.
From badly damaged train carriages and lifeless bodies lying on the platform to rescue workers arriving to care for the wounded, they capture the shocking events that unfolded this afternoon.
The tragedy that has left at least 10 dead unfolded in Sennaya Ploshchad station.
St Petersburg explosion
View gallery
KEY EVENT
Putin says terrorism is not ruled out
Russian president Vladimir Putin says terrorism cannot be ruled out.
All causes are under consideration, including terrorism.
President Putin was in St Petersburg when the blast happened.
KEY EVENT
Video shows witnesses trying to rescue casualties
Shocking video footage has emerged showing the aftermath of the blast.
Witnesses can be seen frantically trying to pull victims from the badly damaged train.
Others look on in horror at the scene of devastation.
Rescuers try to enter mangled train after St Petersburg blast
KEY EVENT
Vladimir Putin is in St Petersburg
Russian president Vladimir Putin was in St Petersburg, his home city, at the time of the explosion.
He was holding a meeting with Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, at the time.
President Putin has been briefed about the incident, according to spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Joshua Taylor
Chaotic scenes inside the station
Photos show chaotic, smoky scenes inside the station after the blast.
Many people were left injured and the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown.
These images show the large crowds that were inside the building at the time.
Photo shows badly damaged train
A photo shows the side of a train carriage badly damaged by the blast.
It occurred in St Petersburg’s Sennaya Ploshchad station.
The train doors look badly mangled and burnt.
The train doors were blown open (Photo: Twitter)
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