In the heart of Moscow’s business life, in the very center of the modern “Moscow City” complex, an unexpected and alarming incident occurred — an explosion of a vehicle, frightening not only those present in the surrounding buildings but also complicating daily urban traffic
According to preliminary information, the incident took place in the underground parking lot of the Afimall City shopping mall, located within a large business complex that has long become one of Moscow’s landmarks. Data from Russian rescue services and the TASS news agency, citing sources from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, indicate that a fire was reported to the Moscow main emergency management agency. Officials from the department state that the incident is closely linked to an energy leak — during the investigation, it was established that the fire was preceded by a powerful explosion inside a vehicle. Operational officials note that witnesses heard a loud bang at the start of the incident, followed by tongues of flame and heavy smoke. The official version is yet to be clarified, but investigators currently confirm that the primary cause was an explosion in the car's interior, which led to further combustion and a powerful blast. This was surprising even for experienced rescue workers, given that such incidents are far from common in such large complexes. Eyewitnesses report that the loud explosion could be heard hundreds of meters from the scene, and clouds of black smoke quickly rose into the sky over "Moscow City." Simultaneously, rapid deployment of rescue and fire teams began to contain the aftermath of the explosion and fire. They promptly secured the area around the incident, conducted evacuation procedures for public and staff safety. Fortunately, at the time of the incident, there were hardly any people at a hundred-meter height within "Moscow City" — most office workers had already finished their workday, significantly reducing the potential number of victims. Nonetheless, law enforcement and emergency services quickly cordoned off the scene. The circumstances and causes of the incident are being clarified, with specialists working to establish the precise details and motivations behind the event. The site has already been fenced off, and investigators are searching the area to gather evidence and determine whether the case was the result of deliberate sabotage or caused by technical failures. Local residents and complex employees are receiving information through official sources, urging calm and refraining from spreading unverified data. Overall, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of heightened vigilance and safety in modern megacities, as even in high-tech and secure zones, unpredictable situations can occur that disrupt daily routines. Authorities and responsible agencies are working to quickly establish all the circumstances and prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in the future.