A devastating explosion tore through the Elastic factory in Ryazan’s Shilovsky District on the morning of August 15, leaving a trail of destruction and grief.
The blast, which destroyed the gunpowder workshop, has claimed the lives of five people and injured twenty others, with ten in critical condition.
Mushroom Cloud Terrifies Nearby Residents
The explosion was so powerful that local residents reported hearing a deafening roar around 11:00 AM.
A massive mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke and flames quickly rose above the factory, sparking fear among those living in nearby homes.
Footage from the scene shows the towering plume stretching high into the sky, highlighting the sheer force of the blast.
Evacuations and Emergency Response Underway
Emergency teams acted quickly, evacuating more than 100 people from the factory and surrounding areas.
The regional operations headquarters indicated that the explosion was likely caused by a breach of safety regulations in the gunpowder production zone.
Mash reported that at least 20 workers remain trapped under the rubble as rescuers continue their search.
Governor Pavel Malkov Visits the Site
Ryazan Region Governor Pavel Malkov visited the scene to monitor emergency efforts firsthand.
Rescue crews are combing through debris, working tirelessly to locate survivors and prevent further casualties.
A History of Deadly Incidents
This is not the first tragedy at the Elastic plant. In 2021, a similar explosion in the gunpowder workshop killed 17 workers shortly after their shift began.
That incident was linked to Razryad LLC, a company that operated on part of the plant’s grounds producing explosives.
Multiple safety violations had been documented, resulting in the arrest of the company’s CEO and founder during the investigation.
The Plant’s Role in the Local Economy
Founded in 1962, the Elastic Synthetic Fibers Plant has long been a crucial part of Russia’s defense industry, producing components for aerial bombs and rocket artillery systems.
For the small settlement of Lesnoy, which has around 8,000 residents, the factory is not only the main employer but also a cornerstone of the local economy, making today’s tragedy all the more devastating.