This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/460812-dzerzhinsk-explosions-russia-fire/

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Almost 200 buildings damaged by blasts at explosives plant in Russia’s Dzerzhinsk Deafening blasts at Russian TNT plant leave 200 buildings damaged
(about 3 hours later)
A series of blasts rocked an explosives factory in the central Russian city of Dzerzhinsk, damaging almost 200 buildings. At least 42 people have been injured, 14 hospitalized, and two remain missing. A series of blasts rocked an explosives factory in the central Russian city of Dzerzhinsk, damaging almost 200 buildings. At least 79 people have been injured, 16 hospitalized.
The explosions at a TNT production plant have sent massive plumes of smoke over the city. A first explosion soon triggered two other blasts at the same facility at 11:45am Moscow time on Saturday, before spreading to another building nearby. Officials have declared an emergency. “A big explosion roared, my ears popped and then sirens went off. In a minute, there was another blast, windows shattered, and a column of smoke rose, and there was fire,” a witness to the devastating Saturday morning accident told RT Russian.
More than 300 people and 50 technical units were involved in the response to the blast, according to the emergency ministry chief for the Nizhny Novgorod region. A criminal inquiry has been launched into the explosions, on suspicion of a breach of industrial safety rules.
Locals shared several videos from the region showing a huge mushroom of smoke rising into the sky.
The fire from the blast has spread to a nearby building and emergency services are struggling to get the blaze under control, according to a source on the ground who spoke to TASS. A first explosion triggered two other blasts at the same facility and then fire. Five buildings were destroyed at the plant and 200 others were damaged throughout the city. People saw their windows shattered and ceiling coverings collapse.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations said the fire is currently spread over a 100 square meter area. The strength of the explosion smashed glass three kilometers away. More than 300 people and 50 technical units were involved in the response to the blast. It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze that covered 800 square meters.
The ‘Kristall’ workshop factory manufactures and stores explosives and ammunition. This is the third blast suffered by the TNT-maker over the past year. Last August, five workers were killed in an explosion at the site, and in April an explosion destroyed a one-story building but caused no injuries. Authorities said that 38 employees of the plant and four local residents were injured in the accident. They were treated for burns and glass cuts. The plant’s administration confirmed that all five people working at the facility where the initial blast happened had been evacuated.
A criminal inquiry has been launched into the explosions, a breach of industrial safety rules is suspected as the most probable cause of the incident.
The facilities damaged in the blast are part of Russia's scientific and research institute ‘Kristall’. It specializes in scientific and technological support for work related to the production of explosive materials and devises its safety measures.
This is the third blast suffered by the TNT-maker over the past year. Last August, five workers were killed in an explosion at the site, and in April an explosion destroyed a one-story building but caused no injuries.
Subscribe to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media won’t tell you.Subscribe to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media won’t tell you.