At least eleven individuals lost their lives and 130 sustained injuries following an explosion at an explosives factory in the Ryazan region of Russia, located southeast of Moscow, as reported by emergency officials on Friday.
The state news agency RIA Novosti indicated that a gunpowder workshop within the Elastik synthetic fiber plant ignited, resulting in a series of explosions.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed on social media, “Regrettably, 11 people have died,” sharing images of the wreckage and significant destruction to the facility.
The ministry also reported that 130 individuals were hurt as a result of the blast.
Emergency response teams in Russia are reportedly working tirelessly to address the aftermath of the incident.
The explosion occurred in the gunpowder production area of the Elastik factory, according to state agencies. Initially, at least three fatalities and twenty injuries were reported, with the building being completely destroyed and a fire breaking out on-site. The cause of the incident remains unspecified. In recent years, there have been other challenges… pic.twitter.com/os9whu2Ptl
Investigators are conducting a preliminary investigation into the fire that occurred in the village of Lesnoy, situated 65 kilometers (40 miles) southeast of Ryazan city and 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Moscow.
Sources from emergency services who wish to remain unnamed told RIA Novosti that the fire and explosion might have been due to breaches of safety protocols.
In response to the tragedy, local authorities in the Ryazan region declared a day of mourning.
“Flags will be flown at half-mast across the entire region,” Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov stated on Telegram.
This incident marks the second deadly explosion at the Elastik factory since October 2021, when 17 individuals tragically lost their lives in a workshop operated by the explosives manufacturer Razryad.
Elastik is part of the state defense conglomerate Rostec, which encompasses various companies that provide industrial and high-tech products to both civilian and military sectors.
Contributions from AFP were included in this report.
