Four people missing after the explosion in Sergiev Posade have been found

Rescuers have completed the demolition of the debris at the site of the explosion that occurred on August 9 in the territory of the Zagorsky Optical and Mechanical Plant in Sergiev Posad, Moscow Region.

As TASS writes with reference to the emergency services, the location of four people who were considered missing after the explosion has been established. They were not hurt.

The fate of eight more people remains unknown.

According to official data, one person died, about 80 were injured, 15 of them are in hospitals.

“Baza” claims that 48 fragments, which presumably belong to the bodies of ten people, were also found at the site. This information is not confirmed.

It is not known exactly what caused the explosion. Officials claim that it happened at the pyrotechnic production warehouse on the territory of the plant leased by the company “Pyro-Ross”. On Thursday, the Investigative Committee announced the arrest of the technical director of this company, as well as searches of its office and questioning of employees. A criminal case has been initiated under the article on violation of industrial safety requirements.

Photos appeared on social networks, allegedly from the site of the explosion, showing casings from projectiles that could be pyrotechnics or not.

On the day of the explosion, the governor of the Moscow Region, Andrey Vorobyov, said that pyrotechnics were produced at the Zagorsk Optical and Mechanical Plant, and that he “has long had nothing to do with optics and mechanics.” At the same time, it is stated in open sources that the plant, which is part of the Schwabe holding of the Rostec corporation, “develops and produces optical and opto-electronic devices for power structures, industry and healthcare.” Among his products were, in particular, sights and night vision devices for tanks.

According to the publication “Agentstvo” with reference to the state procurement website, since 2019, the plant has been involved in the development of the Russian strategic bomber-missile carrier of the new generation “Envoy”, and also supplies the Russian Guard with binoculars and dosimeters. The publication notes that information published in open sources actually refutes Vorobyov’s words.

According to the Telegram channel “Baza”, investigators still consider sabotage as one of the possible causes of the explosion, despite the fact that a criminal case has already been initiated under the article on violation of industrial safety requirements.