An explosion on a subway train in the Russian city of St. Petersburg today killed at least 9 people and injured at least 50 others, including children, according to reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was in the city at the time to meet with the leader of Belarus and said that authorities were looking into whether the attack was an act of terrorism.
“Unfortunately, we have to begin our meeting with this tragic event,” Putin told reporters. “The causes are not yet clear, and so it’s still early to talk about that, the investigation will show. But, naturally, we always examine all versions, ordinary and criminal, above all incidents of a terrorist character.”
Emergency crews descended on the station as passengers escaped the smoke and fire inside, according to the report. The explosion happened around 2:40 p.m. local time and injured at least 50 others, including children, according to the BBC.
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Images showed a train car with a hole blasted through its side from the explosion, which was reportedly caused by a bomb filled with shrapnel, according to Interfax.
Moscow's subway system has been attacked by Islamist militants from Chechnya in the past, according to the Reuters report. One Russian official said authorities had already declared today's incident to be a terror attack.
ISIS has threatened to attack the country in response to its involvement in Syria, where Russia has provided military support to President Bashar al-Assad in fighting ISIS and other rebel groups.
The National Anti-terrorist Committee said in a statement to Russian news media that authorities have determined the explosion was caused by "an unidentified explosive device" and that there would be tightened security throughout the city in response.