Car bomb blast kills driver, injures minister

A high-ranking official has been injured by a car bomb in Russia's Southern Republic of Dagestan. One person has reportedly died in the attack.

Bekmurza Bekmurzayev – Dagestan’s Minister of National Policy, Information and External Relations – his driver and security guards were heading through the city of Makhachkala, when the device was detonated.

“The bomb was placed on the bottom of the official's car. The device was detonated when his vehicle left his house,” said Nizami Radzhabov of Russia’s Investigative Committee in Dagestan.

The blast killed the driver and injured the minister and his two bodyguards, Itar-Tass news agency reported. Those injured have been taken to hospital.

Dagestan’s interior minister has rushed to the site and a group of investigators are currently working there. Criminal case has been launched.

The incident is the latest in a series of blasts to hit the region. Two days ago a Federal Security Service official was killed by a car bomb.