Small explosion at bus stop in central Moscow injures 3

MOSCOW – A small explosive device has lightly injured three people at a bus stop in downtown Moscow, police said Monday.

Moscow police spokesman Andrei Galiakberov said the explosion occurred at the bus stop on Pokrovka street, just over 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) from Red Square. According to the Interfax news agency, he said it could have been a small explosive thrown from a passing car or a window of a nearby building, and that the three were injured by flying glass.

Galiakberov wouldn’t give any further details and refrained from speculating about possible motives.

Russian news agencies said two women were hospitalized with leg injuries, and the third injured woman refused to be hospitalized.

In the past, criminal groups in Russia have used low-power explosives in their turf battles. There was no immediate indication of any extremist connection.