UPDATED: An explosion occurred at a shopping center in Vladikavkaz.

A blast occurred at the "Alania Mall" shopping center in Vladikavkaz. The explosion shattered windows and ignited a fire. According to Russian media, one person has died and nine others have been injured.

Dense smoke is rising over the shopping center. Emergency service representatives have arrived at the scene.

According to the Telegram channel Baza, the explosion happened at 8:30 AM on the upper floor of the shopping center. At that time, "Alania Mall" was still closed to visitors.

The Telegram channel Shot claims that a domestic gas explosion occurred on the fourth floor of the shopping center, leading to a fire covering an area of 800 square meters.

Representatives of emergency services and the head of North Ossetia have arrived at the scene. "The area is cordoned off. An investigative team is working at the site. Efforts are underway to contain the fire. There is heavy smoke. A search of the premises is ongoing for any fire hotspots and to locate individuals who may be inside," he reported. Later, the regional head Sergey Menyaylo, referencing data from the Russian Ministry of Defense, stated that the explosion and fire in the Vladikavkaz shopping center were caused by debris from a downed drone. He indicated that a fixed-wing drone was shot down by air defense systems at 8:28 AM. "This version is supported by preliminary results from investigative operations. Surveillance cameras at the shopping center show that the explosion occurred from the outside. Explosives experts are searching for fragments of the unmanned aerial vehicle," Menyaylo stated.