A blast ripped through a metro station in the capital Minsk on Monday, killing at least five and injuring several commuters. It was not yet clear what caused the explosion, which hit the Oktyabrskaya station in the center of the city. The exit to the metro leads directly to both President Lukashenko's main working office and his residence. Witnesses said that dark plumes of smoke rose from the station tunnel, with dozens of people walking out stunned, covered with plaster and their clothing tattered.
Belarus' state news agency Belta said several people had died in the blast, without giving further details. The Interfax news agency reported that at least 30 people were carried out on stretchers.
The RIA Novosti news agency reported that at least 10 people were wounded in the blast, adding that the ceiling of the underground station may be in danger of collapse.