A man and his eight-year-old daughter lost their lives in an explosion during equipment testing at the Perm National Research Polytechnic University in the Russian city of Perm, according to statements from the university and officials on Thursday.

The university reported, “An explosion took place during the testing of scientific equipment in a separate structure on campus.”

They further explained that the incident was triggered by the failure of a turbine wheel, with fragments breaking through protective barriers and causing injuries. Investigators described the event as a case of “hydraulic stand depressurization” that occurred in the university laboratory.

The deceased have been identified as the head of a firm responsible for manufacturing the tested equipment and his minor daughter. Authorities are looking into the circumstances that allowed the child to be present at the location, a breach of safety regulations, as noted by the university.

While the names of the victims and the company have not been disclosed, the university emphasized that the man was not its employee.

Additionally, three other employees of the company are currently stable after being hospitalized, as reported by the regional health ministry to the local news source 59.ru.

Investigators indicated the explosion took place in a hangar on university property, which is leased to external companies for testing their equipment. The news outlet mentioned that this hangar is situated near the university’s aerospace faculty building.

The Investigative Committee of Russia, which handles serious crime investigations, announced that it has initiated a criminal case regarding the incident, labeled as death by negligence.