Three people have been killed and five others injured following a powerful explosion at the FKP Avangard explosives plant in Sterlitamak, in Russia’s Bashkortostan region.
The incident occurred on Friday evening at a facility that produces industrial explosives and dismantles munitions. Since 2022, the plant has been operated by Rostec, Russia’s state-owned defense conglomerate, AFP reported.
Forensic experts are currently investigating the cause of the explosion. It has not yet been confirmed whether the blast was the result of a Ukrainian drone strike or a technical malfunction.
Emergency services have completed search and rescue operations overnight.
