At Least 23 Injured By Explosion In Daghestan

An explosion in a restaurant in Russia's North Caucasus region of Daghestan has injured at least 23 people, some of whom are reportedly in critical condition.

Daghestan's Interior Ministry said a natural-gas leakage in the restaurant's premises in Daghestan's capital, Makhachkala, caused the explosion on August 1.

Daghestan's Health Ministry says 23 people have been hospitalized, of whom five are in "a very serious condition."

According to the ministry, some of those hospitalized have burns on almost 100 percent of their bodies.

Rescue teams and firefighters are working at the site, though the explosion did not cause the building to catch fire.

Based on reporting by TASS, Interfax, and RIA Novosti