A massive explosion at a gunpowder factory in Russia’s Ryazan region has left at least 20 people dead and 134 others injured, according to emergency officials. The devastating blast ripped through the Elastik synthetic fiber plant in the village of Lesnoy, about 250 kilometers (155 miles) southeast of Moscow.
Rescue teams have been working around the clock since the incident, with Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry confirming that nearly half of the blast site has been cleared. Specially trained dogs are being used to search for survivors amid the rubble.
Witnesses described a powerful detonation that obliterated an entire gunpowder workshop at the facility. State media reported that the building was “completely destroyed.” Local outlets added that the factory was known for producing military-grade explosives, including anti-tank warheads and gas generators for submarines.
Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into possible safety violations at the plant. No arrests have been announced, but officials in the Ryazan region quickly declared a day of mourning in memory of the victims.
This is not the first deadly incident linked to the Elastik plant. In October 2021, a similar explosion in a workshop run by explosives maker Razryad killed 17 workers, raising long-standing concerns about safety practices at the facility.
The plant itself has a complicated history. Once part of the state-owned defense giant Rostec, it formally shut down operations in 2018. However, corporate filings indicate it continues to operate privately under the name “Zavod Elastik,” manufacturing weapons and ammunition.
The latest tragedy has reignited debate over industrial safety standards in Russia, particularly within facilities tied to the defense sector, where repeated accidents have raised alarms in recent years.