PM Modi extends condolences to kin of Russia metro explosion victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended his condolences to the families of the Russia metro explosion victims.

"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the blasts at St. Petersburg metro. Heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

At least nine people were killed and over 20 injured in an explosion at a metro station in St. Petersburg, which Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called 'a terrorist attack' on Facebook.

The revised stats have been given by Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee.

The Russian state media had earlier reported the death toll to be 10 and the count of the injured to be 50.

 

What we know so far:

- St. Petersburg explosion was a terrorist attack, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Facebook

"Those who suffered during the terrorist act in the St. Petersburg metro will be provided with all the necessary assistance. All instructions to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Emergency Situations are given. My most sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the explosion. This is a common pain," he wrote

- The Prosecutor General's office in St. Petersburg called the explosion a terrorist attack, TASS reported

- United States President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation in Russia, deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders told CNN

- "Terrible news. Condolences to relatives and loved ones," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova posted on her Facebook account

- Alexander Yakovenko, Russia's ambassador to UK, shared a message on Twitter thanking people for offering sympathy in the wake of blast

- An additional device was found at a second St. Petersburg metro station -- Revolutionary Square -- but was secured, the National Anti-terrorism Committee said in a statement

- Unidentified explosive device caused the blast, says Russia anti-terror spokesperson

Investigators believe an explosive device is the cause of the blast, Andrei Przhezdomsky, a spokesperson for the National Anti-terrorist Committee, told state-run Russia 24.

He added that evacuation was over and medical assistance was being offered to the injured.

- Putin expressed his condolences and has indicated that there will be an investigation. He said he was in contact with the FSB security services and law enforcement to determine the reason behind the explosion

- President Vladimir Putin was in the city speaking at an event early Monday morning

- The explosion took place in a tunnel between two metro stations, Russian state media reported, citing officials

- The Russian state media initially reported the death toll to be ten

- An explosion at the Sennaya Ploshchad metro station shook the Russian city of St. Petersburg. State media originally reported that there were two blasts.