DATE=9/5/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/DAGESTAN EXPLOSION (S&L)
NUMBER=2-253474
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: An explosion has destroyed a five-story
military apartment block in the Dagestani city,
Buinaksk -- killing at least nine people and injuring
more than 70 others. Initial Russian news reports also
say hundreds of gunmen have crossed into Dagestan from
Chechnya and occupied several villages. Correspondent
Eve Conant follows developments from Moscow.
TEXT: Russian news agencies report dozens of residents
of the five-story military apartment block may still
be buried under heaps of rubble.
Russian news agencies report the Dagestani government
is calling the blast a "terrorist act," but no one has
yet claimed responsibility. Rescue teams on the scene
say they expect casualty figures to rise and that most
of the victims are women and children.
The Itar-Tass news agency reports police also
discovered and defused a car loaded with 100 kilograms
of T-N-T -- timed to explode near a military hospital
and another military apartment block in Buinaksk.
Russian news agencies also report hundreds of gunmen
crossed into Dagestan early Sunday, from neighboring
Chechnya, and occupied several villages in the
Novolaksky district.
///REST FOR LONG///
The explosion in Buinaksk took place only 50
kilometers away from the Karamakhi area where Russian
troops continue to fight Islamic fundamentalists for
control over several villages.
Islamic fundamentalist leaders have recently
threatened to carry out terrorist acts in Russia, as
part of their effort to make Dagestan an independent
Islamic state.
News agencies report rescue teams are working, non-
stop, to pull people from the rubble. The Russian
Emergencies Ministry has flown additional rescue
workers and equipment to the scene.
Buinaksk is Dagestan's second-largest city and has
been named as a potential target for attack by Islamic
militants. The Interfax news agency reports that,
several hours before the blast, a rebel leader known
as Commander Khattab threatened attacks by militants
would continue.
Meanwhile, federal forces continued their battle
against the rebels, early Sunday, heavily bombing two
villages in the Karamakhi region, controlled by
militants. (Signed)
Neb / wd
05-Sep-1999 02:44 AM LOC (05-Sep-1999 0644 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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