One dead in Sergiev Posad plant explosion

One person died in an explosion that occurred in an optical-mechanical plant in Sergiev Posad, TASS reports, citing a hospital.

The person who died was a woman who was rushed into ICU with burns all over her body, SHOT and Mash clarify. Doctors are fighting for the lives of four more patients with the same injuries.

The optical-mechanical plant was rocked by a powerful explosion earlier today. Fifty-six people were injured. Moscow region Governor Andrey Vorobyov reported that 30 people had been hospitalised, while 26 more were let go after receiving care. Three people were recovered from under the rubble, they are said to be in critical condition. Vorobyov added that there could be more people under the debris. Rescue services will need 12 hours to clear the rubble.

The explosion shockwave damaged 38 apartment buildings, the authorities received shattered glass complaints from around 100 people. Four more people said their cars had been damaged.

The explosion in the “the pyrotechnics hangar” was caused by a “human factor”, TASS reported, citing emergency services. A 1,600 sq.m. warehouse was destroyed.