At least 11 people have been killed and around 130 others injured in a massive explosion at a gunpowder factory in the Ryazan region near Moscow, Russia. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the incident on Saturday.
Images circulating on social media show the wreckage of the factory building and extensive damage. Local media reported that the explosion occurred at a facility producing gunpowder and ammunition.
A similar catastrophic explosion at the same factory in 2021 had claimed 17 lives.
Following the incident, a one-day mourning period has been declared in the Ryazan region. Regional Governor Pavel Malkov announced on Telegram that national flags will be flown at half-mast across the region to honor the victims.
Sources: Reuters, Moscow Times, AFP.