Bomb explodes at Moscow restaurant, killing two victims and woman suspected of delivering device

By Anna Chernova, Alessandra Freitas, CNN

(CNN) — A homemade bomb exploded during a private event at a restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday, killing two people and the woman suspected of carrying the device, and injuring 21 others, according to state news agency RIA Novosti, which cited Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee.

An unidentified woman attempted to enter Balzi Rossi restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square carrying what authorities believe was an improvised explosive device, the committee said. The device exploded before she entered, killing the security guard who stopped her and a restaurant customer.

Authorities did not immediately identify the woman or say what motivated her actions. It was also unclear whether she deliberately detonated the device.

The apparent targets were guests attending a private event on the restaurant’s outdoor terrace, Russian business daily Kommersant reported.

The blast happened around 8:10 p.m. local time (1:10 p.m. ET) near the outdoor terrace of upscale restaurant Balzi Rossi, according to Russian state news agency TASS, which cited the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The restaurant is located at the Kudrinskaya Square Building, one of Moscow’s famous “Seven Sisters,” a group of Stalinist skyscrapers built in the 1950s.

The explosion immediately prompted the deployment of an investigative task force and a large number of police and emergency personnel to the residential landmark, which sits along the Garden Ring in Moscow’s central Presnensky district.

At the time of the blast, the restaurant was closed to the public for a private banquet, according to its website.

The Balzi Rossi restaurant is located at the base of the tower. Balzi Rossi chef Carmine Alfieri thanked people for their support following the blast. Alfieri said the staff were safe and described what happened as “a minor issue.”

“We’re all fine, and our restaurant and kitchen are in perfect condition; there was just a minor issue at the restaurant entrance,” Alfieri said on Instagram without elaborating.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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