Minsk metro blast : after Blast in Minsk, Belarus exclusive video

A blast tore through a metro station near Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's main office in the capital Minsk on Monday, killing at least five and wounding several commuters, according to reports.

t was not immediately clear what caused the explosion, which hit the Oktyabrskaya metro station in the city centre.

The exit to the metro leads directly to both Mr Lukashenko's main working office and his residence. Ambulances and fire engines were seen racing to the scene.

Witnesses told AFP that dark plumes of smoke rose from the station tunnel, with dozens of people walking out in a daze, covered in pieces plaster and their clothing tattered.

At least one person had both legs maimed by the blast, a witness said.

Belarus' state news agency Belta said several people had been killed in the blast, without giving further details.