A high-ranking general in the Russian armed forces and his assistant have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2ek388yxzo">reported BBC</a>.
Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defence Forces (NBC), was leaving a residential block early on Tuesday when a device hidden in a scooter detonated, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.
The explosive was reportedly detonated remotely, as confirmed by Russian security sources to the state news agency Tass.
On Monday, Ukraine’s SBU security service charged Kirillov in absentia, saying on Telegram that he was “responsible for the mass use of banned chemical weapons.” The Ukrainian government has yet to comment on the general’s death.
Images from the scene revealed significant damage to the entrance of the building, with scorch marks on the walls and several blown-out windows. Two body bags were also visible on the street.
In October, the UK imposed sanctions on Kirillov, citing his oversight of chemical weapon use in Ukraine and his role as a “significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation.”
Ukraine’s SBU has claimed that Russia utilized chemical weapons over 4,800 times under his leadership, a claim Moscow denies.
Following the explosion, Russia’s Investigative Committee announced it had “opened a criminal case into the murder of two servicemen.” It said:
<blockquote>
Investigators, forensic experts and operational services are working at the scene.
Investigative actions and operational search activities are being carried out aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the crime.
</blockquote>
Russian state news agencies reported that the explosive device, which killed the 54-year-old Kirillov and his aide on Ryazansky Avenue, had an explosive force equivalent to 300 grams of TNT.
Bomb experts and specialized search dogs were deployed to inspect the area, and no additional explosives were found. Under UK sanctions, Kirillov was subject to an asset freeze and travel ban.
Kirillov served in various roles within Russia’s military-related to hazardous materials, including the Directorate of the Chief of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defence Troops, before being appointed head of the NBC in 2017.
His death follows less than a week after the assassination of a prominent Russian weapons expert, Mikhail Shatsky, who was shot dead near his home in Moscow.
Ukrainian media reported that the assassination was carried out by Ukraine’s military intelligence service.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A top Russian general named Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov was killed in an explosion in Moscow along with his assistant. The explosive was hidden in a scooter and detonated remotely. Ukraine accused Kirillov of using banned chemical weapons many times and charged him in absentia. The UK had already imposed sanctions on Kirillov for overseeing chemical weapon use in Ukraine. The explosion is being investigated as a murder, with no additional explosives found. Kirillov had a history of handling hazardous materials before being head of the NBC. This incident comes shortly after another Russian weapons expert was assassinated.

High-ranking Russian Army General Killed In An Explosion In Moscow

One person was killed and 41 others were injured in an explosion that overturned vehicles and destroyed sections of Bree Street and Rissik Street in Johannesburg Central on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday morning, city officials were still battling to determine the cause of a destructive blast.
The company that runs a gas pipeline network in the city, Egoli Gas, issued a statement on Wednesday evening saying it hadn’t seen a pressure reduction and its network wasn’t compromised.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said that they received a report from the company. <a href="https://ewn.co.za/2023/07/20/cause-of-joburg-cbd-explosion-after-1-death-scores-of-casualties-undetermined">Said Lesufi</a>:
<blockquote>
They only picked up a 100mm pipe that had some leak and have since repaired that particular part… It’s a gas leak but they say it’s minimal… we don’t want to jump to conclusions.
</blockquote>
Reports indicate that the acrid smell of gas still hung in the air hours after the explosion and several vehicles were still overturned while some were stuck between the cracks in the road.
The explosion cut off power to some buildings near the scene of the blast.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

One Dead, Over 40 Injured In Johannesburg Blast

A large explosion occurred in the Johannesburg CBD on Wednesday evening and caused substantial damage to nearby roads including Bree Street (Lillian Ngoyi Street).
The Johannesburg Joint Operating Committee of Alexandra, Midrand, Sandringham and Sandton, said the explosion took place at about 5.46 PM. It said:
<blockquote>
We are aware of an explosion on Bree Street in the Johannesburg CBD possibly on the gas lines underground.
At this time we request the public to stay clear of the area to allow emergency services to attend to the scene.
</blockquote>
Initially, it was reported that the explosion was caused by a gas leak but Egoli Gas dismissed the claim. In a tweet, Egoli Gas said:
<blockquote>
Egoli Gas believes it is unlikely that the explosion in Jhb CBD, Bree Street, JHB was caused by a gas pipeline or leak.
Our network has experienced no pressure loss which indicates the gas pipelines are intact. Our customers in the area continue to receive gas uninterrupted.
Our gas pipelines operate at extremely low pressure providing a safe gas supply in highly built-up areas and are therefore unlikely to cause an explosion and explode.
</blockquote>
In a statement, ER24 said several people were injured and were transported by various services to nearby hospitals. It said:
<blockquote>
On scene, medics and rescue personnel discovered several overturned vehicles along the road, which seemed to have been split wide open.
Medics set up a triage area a safe distance away while Fire and Disaster Services evacuated the general area.
Initial reports from the scene showed that several people had sustained minor to moderate injuries.
The patients were treated for their injuries and later transported by various services to nearby hospitals.
The exact details surrounding this incident are unknown, but the relevant authorities are on the scene for further investigations.
</blockquote>
IOL photojournalist, Timothy Bernard, who was at the scene said he witnessed a 10-metre-wide trench caused by the explosion.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi told the media on the scene that the damage was extensive and the situation “chaotic”.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Massive Underground Explosion Causes Huge Cracks In Johannesburg Street

Ten (10) Grain Marketing Board (GMB) employees were seriously injured following an explosion at the company’s Chegutu depot on Tuesday, 31 January.
The injured workers were rushed to Chegutu General Hospital where their condition was said to be stable. In a statement, GMB CEO Rockie Mutenha said:
<blockquote>
Preliminary investigations have pointed to a grain bucket elevator explosion which emitted some heat injuring the personnel on duty.
</blockquote>
Provincial Civil Protection Unit (CPU) chairman, Josephat Jaji, who is also Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution permanent secretary, had put the number of the injured at nine (9):
<blockquote>
I can confirm that nine people were injured when an explosion occurred at one of the silos that they were working in.
There were no fatalities and the injured were rushed to Chegutu General Hospital.
We are, however, waiting for experts to give the cause of the blast as investigations are now underway.
</blockquote>
A similar tragedy occurred in 2018 when at least four people were killed while three others were seriously injured after an explosion at the GMB’s Lion’s Den Depot, near Chinhoyi.
Both Chegutu and Chinhoyi are in Mashonaland West Province. | <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/10-gmb-workers-suffer-severe-burns-after-explosion-at-chegutu-depot/">ZimLive</a>, <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/explosion-rocks-gmb-chegutu-depot-leaves-9-injured/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

10 GMB Workers Suffer Burns After Explosion At Chegutu Depot

The driver of the gas tanker that exploded in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg in South Africa on Christmas Eve, has been arrested.
He has been charged with multiple counts of culpable homicide, negligent driving, negligent causing of an explosion resulting in death, and malicious damage to property, reported SABC News.
Gauteng Police Spokesperson Brenda Muridili confirmed the arrest of the 32-year-old suspect on Sunday at a private hospital where he had been receiving medical treatment for minor injuries. She said:
<blockquote>
The driver as well as several people who sustained injuries, including eight firefighters were taken to various hospitals for medical treatment.
Thus far, 15 people are reported to have sustained fatal injuries including a 10-year-old boy.
The full damage to infrastructure as well as private property will be communicated in due course.
The incident scene is still being cleared. The suspect will appear before the Boksburg Magistrates on 28 December.
</blockquote>
On Sunday, Health Minister Joe Phaahla announced that the death toll from the explosion had risen to 15.
Three of the deceased were staff members from the Tambo Memorial Hospital, which was also affected by the blast.
Rosetta Brits lost four children in the explosion, three teenagers namely Jamel Eagles, Sabastian Brits, Adriaan Brits, and her 10-year-old Gerrie Brits. | <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/driver-of-gas-tanker-that-exploded-in-boksburg-arrested-families-of-victims-distraught/">SABC News</a>

SA: Driver Of Gas Tanker That Exploded In Boksburg Arrested

South Africa’s health minister, Joe Phaahla on Sunday said the death toll following the explosion in Boksburg had now risen to 15.
Three of the deceased were staff members at Tambo Memorial Hospital, which is located near the accident scene.
Thirty-seven people, including firefighters who were trying to extinguish the blaze, were admitted to hospital following the blast on Saturday.
The explosion occurred when a truck carrying gas burst into flames and then exploded.
Eyewitnesses said the truck driver didn’t check the height restriction of the bridge and the gas truck was stuck under the bridge before it exploded.
The force of the blast damaged parts of the hospital and some patients were moved as a precaution. | <a href="https://ewn.co.za/2022/12/25/phaahla-to-assess-damage-to-tambo-hospital-caused-by-boksburg-blast">EWN</a>

Boksburg Gas Explosion Death Toll Rises To 15

A man was killed instantly when a fuel tanker trailer belonging to Segment of Glory Energy he was welding exploded along Sherwood Crescent in Waterfalls in Harare on Monday.
Eyewitnesses told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/welder-killed-in-fuel-tanker-explosion/">The Herald</a> that the welder was on top of the trailer while sealing a leak that had developed on the tanker.
The body was removed from the scene but workers at the depot continued with business.
The workers referred all the questions to their employee Justice Madzimure who expressed ignorance over the issue.
Madzimure said he was not the owner of the haulage company.
An eyewitness who refused to be named said they heard an explosive sound coming out of the depot and then saw the body of the welder lying in the yard of the next depot where it was thrown. Said the eyewitness:
<blockquote>
The man was on top of the fuel tank trailer welding it and everything seemed to be going on well.
He asked if the sadza I was cooking was ready so that he could come and buy it when he was done.
Moments later we were terrified by the explosive sound of the fuel tanker. The man was thrown into this yard (next depot) where he died instantly.
When the fuel tanker trailer exploded some people ran away because they thought it was a bomb, but after the explosion, some came back to see what had transpired.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was yet to receive a report from police officers who attended the scene.

Welder Killed In Fuel Tanker Explosion

A Zimbabwean man and his daughter are among 10 people killed on Friday in an explosion at a petrol station in Ireland.
The explosion occurred just after 3 PM local time at the Applegreen petrol station on the outskirts of the village of Creeslough, in the Irish county of Donegal.
On Sunday, police released the names of the 10 victims, among them the Zimbabwean man Robert Garwe (59) and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5).
Shauna and her father had just entered the petrol station shop to buy a birthday cake for her mum when the explosion happened.
Police identified other victims as Catherine O Donnell, 39, and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, James O Flaherty, 48, Jessica Gallagher, 24, Martin McGill, 49, Hugh Kelly, 59, Martina Martin, 49, and 14-year-old Leona Harper. Said Superintendent David Kelly:
<blockquote>
We have to keep an open mind as a police service in how we investigate this but our information at this point in time is pointing towards a tragic accident.
</blockquote>
Eight people were being treated in hospital, including one with critical injuries who was airlifted to Dublin, the Irish capital.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin described the incident as an unspeakable tragedy. He expressed his sympathies to the families and friends of the victims.
Bernard Doherty, who lives nearby and knew all but one of the victims, told national broadcaster RTE:
<blockquote>
Rubble had been blown across the forecourt as far as the road. There was everything from tin to blocks, floor slabs, and contents from the shop just lying around the place.
About 20 seconds after landing on the scene, we knew what was ahead.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2022/10/zimbabwean-man-and-daughter-5-among-10-killed-in-ireland-explosion/">ZimLive</a>

Zimbabwean Man And Daughter Among 10 Killed In Ireland Explosion

One more person has died and another cannot be accounted for following an explosion at the Grain Marketing Board’s Lion’s Den depot in Mashonaland West Province on Tuesday afternoon.
This raises to five the number of casualties. The latest victim succumbed to extensive burns at Harare Central Hospital on Tuesday night. The bodies of those who died in the explosion have been retrieved and taken to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital mortuary.
The four GMB workers who died during the blast were from the same neighbourhood in Mhangura.
It is difficult to positively identify the bodies as they were burnt beyond recognition although Peter Murewa and Colleen Gutse are from the same family according to a their brother Grisham Murewa who spoke to The Herald. Peter left a wife and one child, while Colleen is survived by a pregnant wife.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/gmb-blast-death-toll-rises-to-5/">Herald</a>

GMB Lion's Den Depot Explosion Death Toll Raises To 5

State-owned media reports that at least four people have been killed while three others were seriously injured after an explosion occurred at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB)’s Lions Den Depot, near Chinhoyi. The exact cause of the explosion is yet to be established although it is suspected the explosion was caused by an electrical fault.
Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri, who visited the scene of the explosion yesterday afternoon, confirmed security arms including the police forensic department and the bomb disposal unit, had been called in to investigate what could have caused the blast.
Some workers at the depot told The Herald the fire and resultant explosion could have been caused by an electrical fault. Others questioned the magnitude of the blast, saying it could have been an explosive device, while gas build up in the storage infrastructure has also been cited as another potential cause.
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/gmb-blast-kills-4-workers/">Chronicle</a>

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