An explosion at a Moscow restaurant killed three people and wounded 15 others on Friday evening, according to Russia’s Interior Ministry.
The blast occurred around 8:10 p.m. at the Balzi Rossi restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square, near a Stalinist skyscraper in the city centre. The restaurant had been closed for a private event.
Russian Telegram channels reported that many vehicles with black licence plates, typically used by the Russian Armed Forces and other security agencies, were parked near the restaurant at the time.
Journalist Oleg Kashin suggested the event may have been a birthday celebration for Colonel-General Alexander Chaiko, commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown. The outlets Mash and Shot reported that it may have been caused by a gas leak in the kitchen. The outlet Astra cited local residents as saying the building is not connected to the gas supply. Bomb disposal specialists were working at the scene.
Moscow’s transport department announced the cancellation of a night cycling festival, citing unforeseen circumstances. The Balzi Rossi website listed the restaurant as closed on August 1 for a banquet. Astra, citing a witness, reported that guests were celebrating a general’s birthday.
