An explosion ripped through the Balzi Rossi restaurant on the ground floor of the Stalin-era skyscraper on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow on Saturday evening, killing at least three people and injuring more than 20, according to Russian media reports.
The restaurant was closed for a private event at the time of the blast, according to the Telegram channel Baza, which is linked to Russian security services. Baza reported that four of the injured were restaurant staff.
The Telegram channel 112 reported that a gas cylinder exploded in the restaurant's kitchen, while Mash said a fire broke out after the blast. The official cause of the explosion has not yet been announced.
Authorities cordoned off the road from Barrikadnaya metro station to Novinsky Boulevard near the skyscraper, according to the Telegram channel Ostorozhno, Novosti. The explosion also forced the cancellation of the Night Cycling Festival, which was scheduled to take place along the Garden Ring later that evening.
Reports on casualties vary: Baza and Mash reported at least three dead, while Interfax, citing a law enforcement source, said there were fatalities but did not give a number. Injury counts range from seven (Mash) to 21 (Baza), with Interfax reporting about 20.