Credited from: DAWN
A catastrophic explosion at a factory in Russia's Ryazan region has resulted in at least 20 fatalities and left over 130 individuals injured. Local emergency services have confirmed these figures, revealing that many of the injured are receiving treatment in hospitals located in both Ryazan and Moscow, while others are undergoing outpatient care, according to Dawn, Reuters, and Anadolu Agency.
The explosion, which occurred at the Elastik gunpowder and ammunition factory, is believed to have been triggered by a fire that broke out within a workshop. Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov stated that the cause remains unclear, but he expressed deep concern over the loss of life and injuries, citing "industrial safety violations" as potential factors, according to Reuters and Anadolu Agency.
A day of mourning has been declared throughout Ryazan as the community grapples with the tragedy. Reports indicate that Russian emergency officials are engaged in ongoing search and rescue operations at the site of the explosion, which took place approximately 250 kilometers southeast of Moscow, as outlined by Dawn and Reuters.