A huge explosion at an optical equipment factory near Moscow left dozens of people hurt and prompted emergency evacuations from surrounding buildings, authorities said on Wednesday.
A gray mushroom-shaped cloud towered above the Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant (ZOMZ) in the town of Sergiyev Posad, around 40 miles northeast of Moscow, in the wake of the blast.
The town’s administration said on Telegram that a “total evacuation” was in effect at all the plant’s buildings and workshops.
Tass State news agency reported that 30 people had been hurt. Of those, 19 were rushed to hospital and three were so seriously injured that they are being treated in intensive care.
An emergency service source told RIA Novosti that a preliminary investigation found that the explosion was caused by “a violation of the technological process.” The plant reportedly manufactures night vision goggles and binoculars for the Russian military.
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