Russia: Four Injured in Blast at St. Petersburg Military Academy

By Staff, Agencies

The explosion inside an office building of the academy happened on Tuesday afternoon, Russian media reported. The cause of the blast was not immediately clear.

"As a result of the explosion four cadets were injured, according to the preliminary information. It is yet unclear what caused the explosion," a spokesman for the emergency services said.

According to Russian media, 15 people have been blocked on the third floor after a staircase flight collapsed as a result of the blast.

A.F. Mozhaysky's Military-Space Academy in St. Petersburg is one of the largest military education establishments in Russia.

The institution is a flagship educational institution which commissions officers for the Air Force and other branches of the Russian Armed Forces.

Fire engines arrived at the scene although there were no reports of a blaze inside the building. Some media outlets also reported the presence of a bomb squad unit outside the academy.

Meanwhile, the acting mayor of St. Petersburg is reportedly at the site, possibly to coordinate relief efforts.