Three Russian chemical plants have problems in one day

The first incident occurred at JSC Apatit, a major chemical mining and manufacturing plant in the region, in the Balakovsky district of the Saratov region. An ammonia leak injured three workers, according to RenTV, which cited the company.

Three Russian chemical factories had problems in one day, picture 1 — Smoke rises from the Shakhtinsky Polyester plant in the town of Shakhty, Russia in January 2024. Photo: MT

On the same day, a major fire broke out at the Soda industrial transformer station in the city of Berezniki, Perm Krai region. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed that the fire burned down a transformer and caused part of the facility's roof to collapse. More than 40 firefighters and 16 fire-fighting units were mobilized to extinguish the fire. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

It is worth noting that the Soda substation supplies electricity to two other major chemical plants, Soda-Chlorate and Berezniki Soda Plant (BSZ) – Russia’s largest soda ash producer with an annual output of 12.6 million tonnes. Both facilities were left without electricity as a result of the fire.

However, local authorities reassured that the surrounding residential area was not affected. Aleksey Kazachenko, head of the city of Berezniki, said the incident was caused by a "technical malfunction" and was brought under control after firefighters arrived at the scene.

Fires and explosions have occurred at numerous industrial and defense facilities in Russia in recent months, raising suspicions of sabotage or indirect attacks linked to the conflict in Ukraine. Just days earlier, another major fire at a shipyard in northern Russia killed at least two people.

The extent of the damage at the chemical plants is still being assessed, and the specific cause of the incidents has not been officially announced. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said the investigation is still ongoing.

Cao Phong (according to TASS, Interfax)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ba-nha-may-hoa-chat-nga-cung-gap-su-co-trong-mot-ngay-post341577.html