Explosions at Russian arms depot kills 2, injures over 50

[News_Editor]

Explosions at Russian arms depot kills 2, injures over 50

2011-06-03 19:13:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 2 people have died and over 50 have been injured as ongoing explosions at a Russian arms depot has forced thousands to evacuate the area, officials said Friday.

According to Russia's Emergencies Ministry, explosions at an artillery arsenal in Russia's Volga region near the village of Pugachevo in the Republic of Udmurtia began on Thursday night at around 11:10 p.m. Moscow time, RIA Novosti reported, adding that 25 of the 52 people injured had been hospitalized.

Russian Health Minister Vladimir Muzlov had previously announced that two elderly people had died due to heart attacks caused by stress from the explosions.

In addition, one person has been reported missing, while the regional emergencies department said 28,000 people had been evacuated. The Russian Presidency said that around 13,500 people living in nearby residential areas had been evacuated.

Emergency teams deployed to the area include 200 personnel, 30 firefighting units, and three firefighting trains, while a fourth was reportedly on its way from the Republic of Tartarstan. Fires and explosions continue, but the intensity of the situation was reported to be a third of what it was.

A total of seven aircraft were also deployed, including two specially equipped planes, two firefighting planes and three helicopters.

Meanwhile, Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov confirmed that missile warheads were stored at the artillery arsenal, but he assured that they would not explode as they are kept in a separate concrete storage area surrounded by 70-centimeter (27.6 inches) thick walls.

Last week, a series of explosions detonated at another military arms depot in the republic of Bashkortostan, which borders Udmurtia. No fatal victims were reported during the incident, but nearby residents were forced to evacuate and 160 people lost their homes.

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