The powerful blast, which rocked a college on Wednesday, was initially attributed to a gas leak. But an hour later the Russian anti-terrorism committee confirmed that an improvised explosive device.

The device was reportely detonated in the canteen. Most of the victims are students of the college, a local human rights ombudswoman said.

Crimean emergency services and ambulances were scrambled shortly after the blast was reported. The injured have been rushed to hospitals at once.

Images courtesy: Kerch FM

Local media has posted photos showing the aftermath of the blast. Ambulances and injured people on stretchers can be seen outside the college building.

The Health Ministry was ordered to organize air transportation to victims of the blast, who may require better medical expertise available in larger Russian trauma centers.

It is the first high-profile terrorist attack in Crimea since 2014, when it voted in a referendum to secede from Ukraine after an armed coup and rejoin Russia.

Home to some 147,000 people, Kerch is considered to be one of the most ancient cities in Crimea. Located in the easternmost tip of Crimea’s Kerch peninsula, the area is connected to mainland Russia by the newly-built massive Crimean bridge.