Russian serviceman killed in explosion in St. Petersburg, media reports

MOSCOW, Aug 27 - A car carrying a Russian military serviceman and his wife exploded in St. Petersburg on Thursday, killing the man instantly, Russian media reported.

The online Fontanka newspaper in Russia's second-largest city identified the man as a lieutenant colonel. It said his wife was rushed to hospital.

Russia's Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal case after a car caught fire, killing one person and injuring another, although it did not identify the deceased person as military personnel.