20:30, 27 December 2013

Half of GIBDD building in Pyatigorsk destroyed by the blast; there are casualties

As reported by the press centre of the Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), an explosion was triggered at the building of the GIBDD (traffic police) in the city of Pyatigorsk, killing three people.

The explosion occurred at about 7:15 p.m. Moscow time in Circassian Highway in the vicinity of the GIBDD and the lacquer-and-paint factory. A Lada Kalina car was blown up.

"The Press Centre of the Russian MIA confirms the information about the explosion; according to preliminary version, three bystanders were killed," the RIA "Novosti" reports referring to the Press Centre.

The blast knocked out windows in nearby houses; the GIBDD building is partially destroyed. "Half of the building is completely demolished," said a source from local law enforcement bodies, quoted by the "Interfax".

A terror act is one of the versions of the incident; however, no exact qualification has been made so far.