A major explosion occurred at 08:49 local time in the boiler room of a thermal power plant located in the town of Shagonar in the Tuva Republic, Russia. Smoke was seen rising into the sky following the fire that broke out in the building housing the boiler room due to the explosion.
Following the explosion, rescue and firefighting teams from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations were dispatched to the scene.
While workers were being evacuated by the teams, 4 workers trapped in the boiler room were also rescued with difficulty. Of the evacuated workers, 15 were taken to local hospitals due to burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. 8 workers who sustained minor injuries in the explosion were treated on-site.
In a statement made by the Russian Ministry of Health, it was reported that 6 of the workers under treatment are in critical condition.
The Investigative Committee of Russia and the regional prosecutor's office announced that an investigation into the explosion has been launched.
Following the explosion, the central heating system was disabled in 62 apartment buildings and 216 houses where approximately 4 thousand people live in the town of Shagonar.
News Source: İHA
