UPDATE 2 - At least 6 dead in Belarus metro blast, dozens injured

UPDATE 2 - At least 6 dead in Belarus metro blast, dozens injured

2011-04-11 23:40:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

MINSK (BNO NEWS) -- A powerful explosion ripped through a metro station in the Belarusian capital on early Monday evening, killing at least 6 people and injuring dozens more, local media reported.

The explosion happened at around 5.56 p.m. local time at the Oktyabrskaya metro station in Minsk, not far from the presidential residence. The cause of the blast, which happened during the evening rush hour, was not immediately known.

Belsat Television reported that at least 6 people were killed in the explosion, which reportedly happened near one of the escalators at the station. Two trains had just arrived at the platform.

Scores of ambulances, fire trucks and police vehicles could be seen in the area of the station, and pictures from the scene showed at least two bodies laying outside the station. Some of the victims were transported to area hospitals by taxi.

A spokesperson for Alexander Lukashenko said the president would be holding an emergency meeting on Monday evening.

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