Passenger bus explodes in central Russian city of Voronezh (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)

A bus has exploded downtown in the central Russian city of Voronezh. Footage emerging from the scene shows the vehicle torn apart, as local media report multiple people injured.

The incident took place by a large shopping mall in the city’s center late on Thursday.

The powerful blast occurred when the passengers were boarding the vehicle at a bus stop.

Some 30 people were on board at the time of the explosion, the driver of the bus, who survived the blast, told local media.

Footage circulating online shows the bus was heavily damaged by the explosion, with its body panels and roof torn off.

One woman died from her injuries in the hospital, while at least 18 more people were wounded in the blast, according to medical officials. Three of the victims are reportedly in critical condition. 

The vice governor of the Voronezh Region told the media that terrorism is not being considered by the authorities at this stage of the investigation. At the same time, the region’s Governor Aleksandr Gusev, who arrived at the scene of the blast, said public transport drivers will be instructed to remind passengers to report any suspicious objects on board.

According to RT's source close to the investigation, the authorities are looking at three possible versions behind the blast: technical malfunction, transportation of explosives by one of the passengers, and a terror attack. However, the source added that the investigators consider the latter one the least likely at the moment.

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