Deadly Fire and Explosion at Russian Industrial Plant Leaves 11 Dead and 130 Injured
- Victor Nwoko
- Aug 16
- 2 min read
A fire at an industrial facility in Russia’s Ryazan region killed 11 people and left 130 others injured after flames swept through a gunpowder workshop on Friday. The blaze erupted at the Elastik plant in the Shilovsky District, located approximately 250 kilometers southeast of Moscow.
Emergency crews recovered two additional bodies overnight as search and recovery efforts continued over the weekend, according to the Russian Emergencies Ministry. Officials confirmed that a gunpowder workshop at the facility caught fire and triggered an explosion that destroyed part of the building.
Of the 130 individuals injured in the blast, 29 remained hospitalized as of Saturday. Thirteen were being treated in Ryazan, while 16 others were transported to specialized medical centers in Moscow.
Regional authorities said three people were pulled alive from beneath the rubble overnight. A preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched.
In response to the tragedy, local officials declared Monday a day of mourning in the Ryazan region. Governor Pavel Malkov said flags would be flown at half-staff, and all cultural and entertainment events have been canceled across the region.
The incident marks the second deadly explosion at the Elastik plant in less than four years. In October 2021, an explosion at a workshop operated by explosives manufacturer Razryad at the same facility resulted in 17 fatalities.
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