14 people under treatment following powerful explosion at plant near Moscow

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - More than a dozen people are under treatment after a powerful explosion rocked an optical plant outside the capital Moscow, according to local media reports on Thursday.

"As a result of the incident in Sergiyev Posad, 14 people are currently being treated at the Sergiyev Posad hospital. Three of them are in serious condition in intensive care, the rest are in moderate severity," the Russian Health Ministry of the Moscow Region said in a statement on Telegram.

The statement further said that one patient had died earlier, while two others were transferred to federal clinics for treatment.

"Over the past 24 hours, medical assistance has been provided to 71 victims, the statement added.

Dmitry Akulov, the head of Sergiyev Posad city district, said on Telegram that Wednesday's explosion in the Zagorsk optical and mechanical plant, injured 60 people.

Akulov further said in a later statement that experts continue to clear the rubble. “The search and rescue operation will last as long as necessary,” he added.

Separately, Moscow Governor Andrey Vorobyov said on Telegram that 56 people applied for medical help, 30 of whom are in hospital, while the remaining 26 people did not need hospitalization.