UPDATE: Meteor Explodes Over Russia, Hundreds Injured - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

UPDATE: Meteor Explodes Over Russia, Hundreds Injured

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MOSCOW (AP) - Some Russians thought it was the end of the world. 

In fact, it was just the end of a meteor that exploded some 20 to 30 miles above the ground over the Ural Mountains. 

About 1,100 people were injured, many by flying glass as they flocked to windows to see what had caused the flash of light. The shock wave from the meteor caused windows to shatter in thousands of buildings. 

A resident of a city of about 1 million people says, 'There was panic. People had no idea what was happening." He says there was "a big burst of light" followed by a "really loud, thundering sound." 

Another resident says some elderly women started crying out that the world was ending. 

Scientists say the meteor released several kilotons of energy above the region. They say it was probably about six and a half feet across, about the size of an SUV. 

City officials say the shock wave blew in an estimated one million square feet of glass. They say 3,000 buildings in the city were damaged. At a zinc factory, part of the roof collapsed. 

There's no word of any deaths, or anyone struck by fragments of the meteor.

 

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