On Wednesday, a remarkable explosion occurred in a warehouse situated within a factory that has long been involved in the production of optical equipment for the Russian military. This incident took place just outside Moscow and resulted in the tragic loss of one life, with dozens of individuals sustaining injuries. The explosion was so immense that it generated a massive plume of smoke that could be seen for miles.
According to local officials, the detonation occurred in a warehouse storing “pyrotechnics” at the Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant in Sergiyev Posad, which is less than 50 miles away from Moscow. Alongside the fatality, at least 50 people suffered injuries, some of which were severe, as reported by local authorities on the social messaging app Telegram.
The security cameras in the vicinity were able to capture the exact moment of the explosion, revealing a mushroom cloud billowing hundreds of feet into the sky. The blast was forceful enough to shatter windows in nearby schools, a sports complex, and around 20 neighboring apartment buildings, according to the local government administration.
Currently, local authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of this devastating blast.
The Zagorsk facility holds a prestigious status as one of Russia’s oldest optical-mechanical plants. Renowned for its optical devices, the company is a frontrunner in developing cutting-edge technology for Russian security services, according to the Russian state news agency, Tass.
Within the scope of the country’s defense conglomerate, Rostec, the Zagorsk facility manufactures night vision devices and binoculars exclusively for the Russian military, thereby solidifying its significance in national defense, as highlighted by the Moscow Times.
Andrey Vorobyev, the governor of the Moscow region, conveyed through a video shared on Telegram by state news media that the plant had not been producing optical devices “for a long time.” It was mentioned that Piro-Ross, a private company specializing in pyrotechnics, had been utilizing the warehouse space at the plant. Public records indicate that Piro-Ross filed for bankruptcy last year.
Russia’s Federal Investigative Committee released a statement via Telegram, expressing their intent to explore potential violations of industrial safety regulations.
Dmitry Akulov, the district’s head, wrote on Telegram, “We are currently investigating the causes of the blast.” In response to the incident, authorities ordered a complete evacuation of all plant buildings and workshops, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency for the entire town of Sergiyev Posad, as stated by local officials.
Additionally, it was revealed by Mr. Vorobyev that there may be five more individuals trapped beneath the rubble, heightening concerns over the impact of this unfortunate event.
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