Two days after the explosion at the Nizhnekamskneftekhim chemical plant, part of the Sibur group, rescuers are still clearing the rubble. According to the latest data, three people were killed and nine remain missing. Twenty-two people were taken to hospitals, while 72 sought medical assistance overall.
Authorities preliminarily link the incident to an equipment malfunction. Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case over violations of industrial safety requirements at hazardous production facilities. Investigators say a blast occurred in a workshop because of safety-rule violations in the technological process.
“In almost every entrance, one apartment was damaged, mainly on the third and fourth floors,” a senior resident of one building told TASS.
The shock wave reached residential districts several kilometers from the plant: windows were blown out, residents reported cracks in balcony frames, the smell of burning, and thick black smoke. Local officials say air is being tested at the industrial site, in the sanitary zone, and in nearby settlements, and that no excess of harmful substances has yet been detected.
Among those killed was 27-year-old firefighter Marat Nazipov. His mother, Leila Nazipova, said he had worked as a rescuer for nearly five years. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said four of the injured who were transferred to Moscow are on ventilators.
Media reports identify the missing as polymerization operator Vera Gladkova, who had planned to retire on April 14, and 30-year-old Aleksandr Saltykov, who supervised contractors. Sibur said it remains in contact with the families of the dead, missing, and injured, and has involved corporate psychologists.
The company said relatives of those killed would receive 10 million rubles each and funeral costs would be covered; according to Business Online, families are expected to receive 13 million rubles including insurance. Hospitalized victims have been promised 3 million rubles each and rehabilitation costs. Nizhnekamsk Mayor Radmir Belyaev announced the cancellation of entertainment and mass events and declared mourning in the city.