MAKHACHKALA, Russia, March 27 (Reuters) - An oil depot in the capital of Russia's Dagestan region, scene of regular insurgent attacks, was on fire on Thursday after residents reported hearing an explosion.

A freelance journalist working for Reuters saw huge, thick plumes of black smoke covering almost half of Makhachkala. Residents reported hearing a powerful explosion before the fire engulfed the oil depot near the Caspian Sea.

There was no information on the cause of the blast, or whether anyone was hurt, Russian news agencies cited local police as saying. (Reporting by Dmitry Solovyov; Writing by Christian Lowe; christian.lowe@reuters.com; reuters messaging: christian.lowe.reuters.com@reuters.net; +7 495 775 12 42))

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