Mystery shrouds Russian rubber plant blast

ERJ staff report (TP)

Omsk, Russia – The explosion that took place on 6 March at a synthetic rubber plant in the Siberian city of Omsk has been shrouded in mystery.

At the time, the Emergency Situations Ministry said the accident had claimed casualties, but gave no specific details.

People in the vicinity reported hearing two loud explosions and seeing a dark cloud of smoke rising from the Omsky Kauchuk plant.

According to a press release (7 March) on the Omsky Kauchuk website, “Titan” Chairman of the Board of Directors Mikhail Sutyaginsky arrived at the site and held a meeting with firefighters and representatives of the plant’s technical services.

However, no further information has been posted on their website and the company has ignored ERJ’s repeated requests for information.

ERJ also requested information from the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. But despite repeated attempts they have also declined to provide any news or updates.

According to the magazine Chemical Week: “Several people, including the rubber plant’s employees and contractors, have been injured in the accident. The reports say that of the 11 people affected, four are in hospital, with one of those in serious condition. Titan says is it ready to compensate the victims by meeting their medical costs.”

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Press release from Omsky Kauchuk

Video of explosion at Daily Motion