Updated 7.47pm
(YouTube: RT)
A SUICIDE BOMBER set off an explosion at a Russian train station today, killing at least 16 people people.
Another 34 people were were injured in the blast at the station in the city of Volgograd in central Russia.
The Russian government has confirmed that a 29-year-old police officer Dmitry Makovkin was among those who died.
Makovkin, who was on patrol at the station, had observed the woman believed to be responsible for the bomb acting suspiciously shortly before the explosion and had been approaching her when the bomb detonated.
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs said the police officer’s actions meant there were fewer fatalities than there otherwise would have been.
Another six police officers were injured in the blast.
The Ministry has sent condolences to the families and friends of the deceased police officer.
A number of ambulances and emergency services remain at the scene. The building has been cordoned off by police.
Investigators have revised an earlier death toll which said 18 people had died in the blast.
Authorities believe a single female suicide bomber was involved in the act of terror.
According to Russia Today, another terrorist attack occurred in the city in October when a woman blew herself up while travelling on a bus. She murdered six people and injured another 30.
The scene following the blast:
(YouTube: zZz zZz)
Additional reporting by Christine Bohan and AFP
Originally published 9.58am
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