A blast occurred on the first floor of a high-rise building in the capital of the Russian Federation, where the elite restaurant Balzi Rossi is located.
Blast in Moscow / © screenshot
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An explosion and subsequent fire took place in the Balzi Rossi restaurant in the center of Moscow, on Kudrinskaya Square. According to various estimates, at least ten people were injured, and there are fatalities. Official information regarding the causes of the incident has not yet been released.
As reported by Russian Telegram channels, the explosion originated on the first floor of the high-rise building housing the Balzi Rossi restaurant. Preliminary data suggests the epicenter of the blast was in the establishment’s guest area.
Eyewitnesses report that numerous emergency services arrived at the scene immediately after the explosion. Over two dozen ambulances and Ministry of Emergency Situations units were deployed to the incident area, and adjacent streets were cordoned off. Injured individuals were evacuated on stretchers to waiting ambulances.
What is known about the victims
Witnesses to the incident have published harrowing footage showing a human body part on the roadway near the establishment where the explosion occurred. Screams of the injured have reportedly been heard from within the premises.
Conflicting figures regarding the number of casualties are being reported across various Russian Telegram channels. Some sources indicate at least ten injured, with one man in critical condition. Meanwhile, the Telegram channel Baza claims one person died in the blast, with another 16 sustaining injuries.
Concurrently, the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Mash asserts that three individuals perished as a result of the explosion.
What was happening at the restaurant
According to the publication ASTRA, the Balzi Rossi restaurant, where the explosion occurred, was closed to the public on the day of the incident due to a private banquet.
It is reported that “generals were supposedly relaxing” at the establishment.
One witness told ASTRA that a general’s birthday was allegedly being celebrated at the restaurant. According to him, numerous cars with black license plates were parked near the establishment.
The publication notes that black license plates in Russia are typically used on vehicles belonging to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, as well as certain other security agencies. Furthermore, according to an eyewitness, a Rosgvardia bus was present near the restaurant.
However, ASTRA emphasizes that this information currently lacks official confirmation and requires further verification.
Later, Russian media reported that the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Alexander Chayko, was allegedly celebrating his birthday at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in Moscow during the explosion.
It is noted that in 2022, Chayko commanded the “Vostok” group of forces during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Units under his command are associated with mass killings, torture of civilians, and extensive destruction in Bucha.
What caused the explosion
The pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Mash reported that a preliminary cause for the explosion could have been a gas leak. However, users in local Telegram chats have questioned this version, pointing out that the building housing the restaurant does not have a gas supply.
As of now, there is no official information regarding the cause of the explosion, nor confirmation from Russian emergency services about the circumstances of the incident.
Russian emergency services have not released final figures on the number of dead and injured.
Recall that on July 28, Moscow and the Moscow region were attacked by unidentified drones. Local authorities traditionally report the supposed successful operation of air defense systems, but hits and fires could not be avoided. At the same time, residents complain about drones and explosions that woke them up that morning.
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