In this photo released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, emergency personnel work at the site of an explosion and fire at a gunpowder factory in the Ryazan region, about 270 kilometers (about 167 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. Russian emergency officials say that at least seven people have died and a further nine are missing following an explosion and fire at a gunpowder factory. (Ministry of Emergency Situations press service via AP)
Republished October 22, 2021 - 2:27 AM
Original Publication Date October 22, 2021 - 12:41 AM
MOSCOW (AP) — An explosion and fire at a gunpowder factory in Russia on Friday killed 16 people, officials said.
The Emergency Situations Ministry said the explosion hit the Elastik factory in the Ryazan region, about 270 kilometers (about 167 miles) southeast of Moscow.
Officials initially said that the blast killed seven people and left nine missing, but hours later announced that all those missing were dead. One person was hospitalized with serious injuries, according to local officials.
The ministry said 170 emergency workers and 50 vehicles were involved in dealing with the fire.
The Emergency Situations Ministry said the blast was caused by an unspecified failure during the production process.
News from © The Associated Press, 2021