Moscow Blast Kills 3, Injures 15

Diners at a popular Moscow restaurant were caught in a blast Saturday evening that left three people dead and at least 15 injured, according to city police. The explosion occurred around 8pm local time on the ground floor of a Stalin-era high-rise on Kudrinskaya Square, where a summer terrace was in use. Russian state television suggested a gas canister may have detonated, but that has not been independently confirmed, the Independent reports. A witness told the Baza Telegram channel that about 50 people were attending a wedding reception at the venue, per the BBC.

At least three people have been killed and 15 injured in an explosion at a restaurant in Moscow, police say.

The blast happened at around 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Kudrinskaya square near the city centre. The cause is not clear but the Baza Telegram channel said it happened in the establishment's kitchen.

A witness told the channel the venue was hosting a wedding reception attended by about 50 people, adding that they saw people being brought out covered in blood after the explosion.

Roads around the square were briefly closed. Dozens of cyclists had been gathering nearby for an evening ride through the city but the event was cancelled.

Video released by Russia's RIA news agency showed heavily armed law enforcement officers at the scene, which had been closed off to members of the public.