A powerful explosion at a factory in Russia’s Ryazan region on Friday (August 15) left 11 people dead and 130 injured, the country’s emergencies ministry confirmed on Saturday (August 16).

In a statement on Telegram, the ministry said that search and rescue operations were continuing at the site, located around 320 kilometres (198 miles) southeast of Moscow. Emergency crews were seen carrying the injured on stretchers to ambulances and removing rubble from the blast site, as the scale of destruction became clearer.

Reuters reported that the location of the incident had been verified using satellite imagery, matching the shape and positioning of the surrounding buildings and trees. The timing of the blast was confirmed through an official statement issued by the Russian Emergencies Ministry.

Regional governor Pavel Malkov said the explosion had been triggered by a fire that broke out inside one of the factory’s workshops. However, authorities have not disclosed what the facility produced or provided an official explanation for the cause of the fire. Some Russian media outlets reported that the blast may have been caused by gunpowder catching fire, but this has not been officially confirmed.

The Ryazan region has previously been the target of Ukrainian drone strikes on both military and economic infrastructure, although there has been no indication so far that the latest incident was connected to such attacks.

As investigations continue, officials have not released further details about the condition of the injured. Dozens remain hospitalised, with emergency services warning that the number of casualties could rise if more victims are found under the rubble.

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