At least 20 people died and 134 were injured in Friday's explosion at the Elastik factory near Ryazan, Russia, Reuters reported on Monday. The fire spread to a missile warehouse and a workshop where 152mm shells were being produced, the independent Russian news portal Astra explained.
Shells of this caliber are used in howitzers, artillery pieces, and self-propelled guns, the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported. The Russian news agency RIA Novosti listed Friday's explosion among 16 that have occurred at Russian gunpowder factories and warehouses over the past seven years.
Earlier, at least five deaths and around 20 injuries were reported.
Last week's reports indicated that an explosion occurred on Friday morning at the factory, which resulted in a fire. The explosion completely destroyed the powder magazine building.
Since 2021, the Elastik plant has been producing missiles for rocket artillery, various types of aircraft weapons, and gas generators for submarines. In October 2021, an explosion occurred at the plant, killing 17 people. The Investigative Committee then initiated criminal proceedings for violations of occupational health and safety requirements at high-risk production facilities.
The founder of the company, Aleksandr Yegorshin, and the company's general director, Sergei Nistratkin, were sentenced to four years of suspended prison and 6.5 years in prison, respectively. (PAP)
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