MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Private transport companies are offering free transportations services to people in St. Petersburg after a blast in the city’s metro, a spokesman for the city’s transport committee told TASS on Monday.

"Private companies are contacting us as they want to offer their assistance and free services," the spokesman said, adding that the city’s metro is closed after the explosion.

"We are in contact with those willing to help," he said. In his words, all other means of transport operate in regular mode.

According to reports from the National Anti-terrorist Committee, at about 14:40 Moscow time on Monday an unidentified explosive device went off in a metro train when it was mocing between the Tekhnologichesty Institut and Sennaya Ploshchad station in St. Petersburg. According to preliminary information, a number of people died and were injured.