Ryazan, Russia (BN24) – A devastating fire at an industrial plant in Russia’s Ryazan region on Friday has left 11 people dead and 130 injured, according to Russian authorities. The blaze erupted at the Elastik plant in the Shilovsky District, approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) southeast of Moscow. Emergency crews continued searching the debris throughout the weekend, with two additional bodies recovered overnight, the Russian Emergencies Ministry confirmed.
The fire reportedly began at a gunpowder workshop at the facility, which then triggered a powerful blast, according to RIA Novosti, the state news agency. Of the 130 injured, 29 remained hospitalized by Saturday, with 13 receiving treatment in Ryazan and 16 others transported to medical centers in Moscow for more specialized care.
Rescue operations continued as three people were pulled from under the rubble overnight, and investigators have launched a preliminary inquiry into the cause of the fire. While the exact reason for the blaze remains unclear, local authorities are treating it as a major industrial disaster.
In response to the tragedy, Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov declared Monday a day of mourning for the region. “Flags will be lowered across the region. Cultural institutions, television and radio companies, and other organizations have been asked to cancel entertainment events,” he said in a statement on Telegram.
This marks the second deadly explosion at the Elastik plant in less than four years. In October 2021, 17 people were killed in a blast at a different workshop operated by Razryad, an explosives manufacturer, according to Interfax.
