The chemical giant Nizhnekamskneftechem reports two deaths and dozens of injuries after the explosion. Russian investigators are looking into possible violations of safety regulations at work.
Two people were killed and 72 others injured in an explosion caused by equipment failure at one of Russia’s largest chemical plants, its operator, Sibur, said. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
Dozens of firefighters battled the flames at the plant in the industrial city of Nizhnekamsk in western Russia.
“As a result of the incident at the Nizhnekamskneftechem plant, two people died. Eight people were hospitalized,” the company said in a statement on social media. “The fire caused by a malfunction of the equipment was located,” she added.
Injuries and consequences
“The remaining 64 people who sought medical help suffered only minor injuries,” she added.
The company Sibur said that there was no leakage of dangerous emissions threatening public health and that it constantly monitors the air.
The mayor of the city, Radmir Beljayev, said that the explosion blew out the windows of some buildings.
Investigation of the causes of the explosion
The local branch of Russia’s Investigative Commission, which deals with serious crimes, has begun investigating suspected violations of labor safety regulations.
Nizhnekamskneftechem is a leading Russian producer of synthetic rubber and plastics, with which it supplies a wide range of industries – from the automotive industry to construction to the pharmaceutical industry and agriculture.
