A powerful explosion occurred at the optical and mechanical plant in Sergiev Posad (Russia) in a warehouse of pyrotechnic products. Social media was flooded with videos and photos showing a huge column of black smoke rising above the factory grounds.
Despite the spread of information in Russian publics about a possible drone attack on the plant, officials rejected this version. Emergency services stated that the explosion was caused by a human factor and a violation of technological processes.
According to preliminary data, 43 people were injured in the incident, 6 of them in serious condition, and 5 more may be under the rubble.
The pyrotechnic company in whose warehouse the explosion occurred specialized in organizing fireworks for Victory Day and held government contracts worth more than 310 million rubles. Among its clients was the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The plant where the explosion occurred specializes in the production of special-purpose military equipment. This includes aviation sights, thermal imagers, homing missiles, laser detection devices, optical observation devices, night binoculars, scopes, as well as monoculars and combined binoculars for day and night vision.
UPDATED
After the explosion in Sergiev Posad, 56 people sought medical care, 6 of them were taken to intensive care, RosMedia reports with reference to the governor of the Moscow region.
The explosion damaged 38 apartment buildings, and about 100 complaints were received from residents.
