Bomb blast ignites fears of renewed violence
A bomb has exploded in the Southern Russian city of Stavropol, killing at least seven and injuring many more. The device, packed with steel pellets, detonated Wednesday evening near a cultural centre as locals were gathering for a performance of a renowned Chechen folk group.
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It comes just before a Russia-European Union summit is due to meet in the town of Rostov-on-Don in a neighbouring region next week.
Stavropol lies close to the Caucasus region, but has rarely been the target of terror strikes in recent years.
Regional authorities are calling it an unprecedented act of provocation designed to destabilise the region, although no group has yet claimed responsibility.
The Russian government has said that families of the dead will get about 18,000 euros in compensation each.
People who suffered grave injuries will get about 7,800 euros, while those with light injuries will receive about 4,000 euros.
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