At least 17 people were killed in a blast and the ensuing fire at an explosives factory at Ryazan region in Russia on Friday, reported news agency TASS.
According to reports, there were 17 people in the one-storey workshop of the Razryad company at the time of the incident that produces industrial explosives, and rescuers have retrieved all the bodies under the debris.
The fire that covered an area of 160 square meters has been extinguished. The factory building was completely destroyed in the blast. The reason for the incident has not yet been officially announced. A disruption in the "technological process" could cause the blast, the report added.
The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a case on violations of safety requirements for hazardous facilities.