An explosion has rocked the Balzi Rossi restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow, which had been closed for a private banquet, presumably to celebrate a Russian general’s birthday, according to Russian Telegram channels.
It is known that the explosion occurred near the Stalinist skyscraper on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow. Near the restaurant, which had been closed for a private event, there were many cars with black number plates parked – the sort usually used by the Armed Forces and certain other law enforcement agencies.
Journalist Oleg Kashin speculates that the birthday celebration may have been for Colonel-General Alexander Chaiko, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has currently reported three fatalities and 15 injured.
“At around 8.10 pm today, an explosion occurred near an open-air café, resulting in three deaths and 15 people sustaining injuries of varying severity,” the statement said.
The cause of the explosion is as yet unknown. The Moscow Department of Transport has announced the postponement of the night-time cycling festival due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
According to Mash and Shot, the explosion was allegedly caused by a gas leak in the kitchen. Astra notes that, according to local residents, the building is not connected to the gas supply. Bomb disposal experts are working at the scene.
The Balza Rossi website reports that the restaurant was closed on 1 August due to a banquet, describing it as a “wedding for 50 people”. Astra, citing an eyewitness, reports that the restaurant was hosting a “general’s birthday party”.