A fire and explosion at an industrial facility in Russia's Ryazan region killed 11 people and injured 130, according to Russian officials. The disaster struck Friday at the Elastik plant in the Shilovsky District, roughly 250 kilometers southeast of Moscow.
The Russian Emergencies Ministry said Saturday that search crews continued to dig through the wreckage into the weekend, recovering two additional bodies overnight. Three people were rescued from beneath debris as the investigation began into what sparked the blast.
Regional governor Pavel Malkov confirmed in a Telegram statement that "flags will be lowered across the region. Cultural institutions, television and radio companies and organizations have been asked to cancel entertainment events." Authorities declared Monday a day of mourning for the victims.
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the incident originated in a gunpowder workshop, while other Russian media said the explosion followed a fire in the facility. Ryazan Governor Malkov acknowledged the fire in his initial briefing but did not specify its cause.
Of those injured, 29 remained hospitalized as of Saturday, with 13 receiving care in Ryazan and 16 transferred to medical centers in Moscow. Officials have not disclosed whether the fire was linked to external factors, though Ryazan has previously been targeted by Ukrainian drones.
The Elastik site has faced fatal accidents before. In October 2021, Interfax reported 17 people were killed when a workshop operated by explosives manufacturer Razryad exploded. Friday's incident marked the second deadly blast at the complex in less than four years, raising renewed concerns over safety standards.
