Moscow: At least eight people were killed and 45 sustained burn injuries when a bomb ripped through a passenger bus this morning in the Russian city of Togliatti.

The authorities are looking into the possibility of a terror strike or accidental blast of the explosive devise while it was being carried by criminals.

The explosive device, equivalent to one kg TNT was either placed on the floor of the bus or attached under it, Radio Mayak reported quoting rescue officials.

Initially the Russian agencies had reported about the explosion of gas cylinder of the bus, however, the police said that the ill-fated bus was diesel operated.

Togliatti city is the home of Russia's biggest automaker VAZ producing LADA budget cars, in the Yeltsin-era has been scene of bloody turf war between various criminal and mafia groups for its control. 

Source : PTI