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Dzerzhinsk explosion: Blast at Russian explosives factory injures 38 Dzerzhinsk explosion: Blast at Russian explosives factory injures 79
(about 4 hours later)
An explosion at a factory in the Russian city of Dzerzhinsk has left 38 people injured, local media report. A factory explosion in the Russian city of Dzerzhinsk has injured 79 people and damaged 180 buildings nearby.
According to a source quoted by Interfax news agency, the factory was used to produce and store high-explosive bombs.According to a source quoted by Interfax news agency, the factory was used to produce and store high-explosive bombs.
They add that the facility at the JSC Kristall Research Institute has now been completely destroyed. They add that the facility at the JSC Kristall Research Institute has been completely destroyed.
A factory official says five people were inside at the time of the blast, and they had been safely evacuated.A factory official says five people were inside at the time of the blast, and they had been safely evacuated.
Firefighters say they do not know if anyone else is still inside the building.Firefighters say they do not know if anyone else is still inside the building.
The city of Dzerzhinsk has declared an emergency in the areas surrounding the plant, while the Investigative Committee of Russia has launched a criminal investigation over an alleged violation of safety rules. The city of Dzerzhinsk has declared an emergency in the surrounding areas, while the Investigative Committee of Russia says it has launched a criminal investigation into potential safety violations at the plant.
"The explosion occurred at 11:45 Moscow time (08:45 GMT). It shattered the windows in an area of three kilometres [around the plant], including those of the industrial facilities. A part of the city has been affected," Dmitri Krasnov, deputy governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, told news channel Rossiya 24. Meanwhile residents have posted photos on social media showing a huge mushroom cloud billowing out over the blast area.
Images posted on social media appear to show a huge mushroom cloud billowing out over the blast area. A local health ministry statement says: "According to the latest information, 79 people asked for medical help after the explosion at Kristall: 38 factory workers and 41 residents of the city. There are no children among the injured."
A spokesman for the local emergency ministry told Russian news agencies that four of the 38 injured people were in a "serious condition", but there were no deaths. It adds that 15 people were hospitalised, but no one had died.
Earlier, a local health official said that most victims were suffering from "shrapnel wounds of mild and moderate severity".Earlier, a local health official said that most victims were suffering from "shrapnel wounds of mild and moderate severity".
Officials said there was a "technical explosion" in one of the workshops, which caused a fire of around 100 sq m.Officials said there was a "technical explosion" in one of the workshops, which caused a fire of around 100 sq m.
Last August three people died in another factory blast in Dzerzhinsk, in central Russia, which is believed to be one of the world's most polluted cities.Last August three people died in another factory blast in Dzerzhinsk, in central Russia, which is believed to be one of the world's most polluted cities.