Death toll from blast at factory in Russia’s Ryazan region rises to 25

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - The death toll from last week's blast at a factory in Russia’s Ryazan region rose to 25, emergency services said on Tuesday.

A statement by the Emergency Situations Ministry said body of another person was recovered during rescue efforts, adding that the number of injured also rose to 158.

The ministry told state news agency RIA on Monday that the death toll had risen to 24.

The blast took place on Friday in the village of Lesnoy, about 250 kms (155 miles) southeast of Moscow.

Citing Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov, RIA reported then that the blast took place at a gunpowder shop of the Elastik plant.

A criminal case was launched over the incident based on signs regarding the violation of “industrial safety requirements,” RIA reported, quoting the Russian Investigative Committee’s regional branch.