Major explosion reported in Sergiev Posad, a city northeast of Moscow

A major explosion has been reported at an optical-mechanical plant in Sergiev Posad, a city in the Moscow region, TASS state news agency confirms, citing emergency services.

UPDATE
UPD: The number of people injured in the Sergiev Posad plant explosion has risen to 52, Moscow region Governor Andrey Vorobyov reports. The drone attack theory is not confirmed. Vorobyov added that five people can be trapped under the rubble.

TASS reports that the blast was “not caused by a drone attack” and that at least 11 people have been injured. RIA Novosti adds, citing emergency services, that the blast was caused by a technical process disruption.

Baza claims that the number of injured people has climbed to 22.

Law enforcement officers are working on site. The plant’s personnel are being evacuated.

112 Telegram channel reported earlier that a drone hit the building. There may be people trapped under the rubble.

“Rubble clearance is underway at the site, all plant buildings have been evacuated,” Moscow region Governor Andrey Vorobyov reported.

The plant is a “leading developer and producer of optical and optical-electric appliances for law enforcement agencies, industries, and the healthcare sphere”, its website reads.