World
At least nine missing after warehouse blast in Russia’s Sergiev Posad
Nine people were still missing Thursday after a huge explosion tore through a warehouse in the Russian city of Sergiev Posad, investigators said.
At least one person died in Wednesday’s blast, which officials said began in a warehouse used to store pyrotechnics in the city north of Moscow.
“More than 60 people have sought medical help, nine are missing,” Russia’s Investigative Committee said in a social media post.
The local emergencies ministry told AFP that search efforts were still going on.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Rescue workers could be seen sawing through the ruins of a collapsed building overnight, while firefighters sprayed water on the smoldering wreckage.
The cause of the incident was not immediately clear. Investigators said they had opened a criminal case into suspected violations of industrial safety.
Accidental fires are common in Russia, where hundreds of blazes are recorded each year due to ageing infrastructure and poorly enforced safety standards.
Read more:
Russia says downed 11 Ukrainian drones near Crimea, plus 2 headed to Moscow