Global General

Blast derails train in Russia's Dagestan, no casualties

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-11 15:16

MOSCOW - A blast in Russia's restive North Caucasian republic of Dagestan on early Sunday derailed 16 cars of a cargo train, with no casualties reported so far.

According to the regional law enforcement authorities, the explosion hit the railways beneath the locomotive at around 04:15 am Moscow time (0015 GMT), overturning the Derbent-bound train loaded with grain.

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An investigation was currently underway.

North Caucasus Railways said suburban train traffic was suspended due to the blast, but passenger trains continued operation without delays.

Two weeks ago, a blast derailed 14 cars of a cargo train at the same railroad, injuring the train driver and his assistant.

Also on Sunday in the republic capital of Makhachkala, two policemen were wounded in a car explosion at the Akushinsky avenue near the entrance of a cemetery.

Violence is common in Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus republics, especially Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, with militants frequently targeting police and officials as representatives of Russian authorities.