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One dies in explosion at Achinsk oil refinery

An investigation is underway

Achinsk Oil Refinery. Archive © ИТАР-ТАСС/Юрий Бармин

Achinsk Oil Refinery. Archive

© © ИТАР-ТАСС/Юрий Бармин

MOSCOW, June 15, /ITAR-TASS/. One person died as an explosion occurred at the Achinsk oil refinery in Russia’s Siberian Krasnoyarsk Territory. The explosion was followed by fire, a source in the local police told Itar-Tass on Sunday.

“Twelve people happened to be in the epicenter of the explosion. One of them died, seven were taken to hospitals with burns. Four persons are missing. A search operation is underway,” the source said.

So far, there is no official confirmation of these reports.

According to the Siberian emergencies centre, the accident occurred at 20:20 Moscow time at the Achinsk oil refinery located 16 kilometres of the town of Achinsk. The explosion at the rectification tower was followed by fire.

An investigation is underway.

The Achinsk oil refinery is a leading energy sector enterprise in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. It produces jet fuel, diesel fuel, liquefied gases, mazut and bitumen. The enterprise was bought by oil major Rosneft in May 2007.

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