Horror 'gas blast' at Baku nightclub leaves one dead and 37 injured

Horror ‘gas blast’ at Baku nightclub leaves one dead and 37 injured: Explosion rips through venue in Azerbaijan capital

• Large explosion reported at a nightclub in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan 
• Officials say one person has died and dozens more are reported to be wounded 
• Ministry of Internal Affairs’ initial reports suggest explosion was due to a gas leak
• Horrifying video shows injured people lying in the street and the building on fire 

One person has died and 37 have been injured after a massive explosion at a nightclub in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku. 

Horrifying footage shows people lying wounded on the street outside a building in the city after blast thought to have been caused by a gas leak in the early hours of this morning.   

Harrowing footage from the scene shows pieces of debris in the street, as well as damage to vehicles and nearby buildings. 

The building the blast appears to have taken place in can also be seen still on fire.  

One person was killed and dozens injured in the blast at a nightclub in Baku in the early hours of this morning

The incident happened after a gas leak in the nightclub, the name of which is yet to be released by the authorities

Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 3am after reports of the explosion from the public

The explosion took place in a nightclub in Tarlan Aliyarbayov Street, in the Sabail district of the city. The name of the nightclub has not been released. 

Some 24 of those injured had to be taken to hospital after suffering burn injuries, a Health Ministry spokesperson was quoted a saying.

According to the office of the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, a gas leak had caused the explosion.

In a statement it said: ‘As reported, an explosion occurred in a nightclub located in Tarlan Aliyarbayov Street, Baku city, Sabail district, on April 3, 2022 around 03:00 o’clock.

‘It was determined that the incident occurred due to the lack of gas supply in the building as a result of a leak from a gas balloon installed there.

The incident took place in a nightclub in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan which lies on the Caspian Sea

Initial reports suggested three people had died in the blast, but this was later revised down to one

The office of the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan said 37 people were injured in the blast, four of which are in a critical condition in hospital

‘The number of dead as a result of the explosion is currently one person (an employee of the night club, Maya Akhundova, born in 1979). 

‘Thirty-seven people suffered various degrees of bodily injuries, four of them are in very critical condition. 

‘Fourteen cars, one apartment and two non-residential facilities were also damaged.’

It added that it had assembled an investigative team to see if any crimes had been committed through the breaching of fire safety regulations or negligence.

‘A joint investigation team was created and the conduct of the investigation was entrusted to the Investigation Department of the General Prosecutor’s Office,’ it said.

‘Necessary investigation actions are being continued with the appointment of relevant experts on criminal case.’ 

In a statement on its website, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said it was told there had been an explosion at around 3am. 

It said: ‘Forces of the State Fire Protection Service and Special Risk Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations were immediately called to the area.

Prosecutors are looking into whether any laws have been broken in the aftermath of the explosion 

Officials said one person, an employee at the nightclub, was found dead underneath the rubble

The blast caused severe damage to the building, as well as cars and items in the surrounding streets

‘While assessing the operational conditions at the scene, it was determined that an explosion occurred at the facility, which acts as a nightclub, and caused damage inside the facility.

‘Thanks to the prompt intervention of firefighters, the fire was extinguished in a short time, preventing it from spreading.’ 

In a follow-up statement, it said one person had been found dead under the rubble. 

It added: ‘The search and rescue operation carried out by the Ministry of Emergency Situations has ended in connection with the fire and explosion in a nightclub located on Tarlan Aliyarbayov Street, Sabail district, Baku.

It is reported 24 people were taken to hospital following the incident, most of which required treatment for burn injuries

The Ministry of Emergency Situations said the building caught fire, but firefighters were able to stop this spreading and put it out

Minister of Emergency Situations, Colonel-General Kamaladdin Heydarov, arrives at the scene of the explosion on Sunday morning

‘As a result of reconnaissance operations at the scene, the body of one person found under the rubble was removed and handed over to the relevant authorities.

‘Specially trained search dogs of the Special Risk Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations were also involved in the search and rescue operation.

‘In total, according to preliminary reports, one person was killed and 31 were injured in the blast.

‘The causes of the incident are being investigated by the relevant agencies.’ 

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