KRASNOYARSK, August 2. /TASS/. Three individuals injured after the explosion at Verkhnechonskoe oilfield [operated by Rosneft’s affiliate Verkhnechonskneftegaz - TASS] in Irkutsk Region died in a hospital in Irkutsk. The death toll rises to six, official spokesperson of the regional investigation department Karina Golovachyova told TASS on Tuesday.
"Two died yesterday evening; the third one today. Six people died in total," the spokesperson said.
Backfire occurred in power plant’s fuel gas receiver during the startup performed by the contractor on the field, press service of Verkhnechonskneftegaz told TASS earlier. One individual died during the explosion, the second one when transported and the third one in the hospital at night. Four individuals were delivered to the hospital in Irkutsk. A commission was setup to identify causes of the accident.
"One individual with minor injuries continues treatment in Angarsk. A dedicated commission is looking into causes of the accident," a representative of Rosneft told TASS.
The oilfield operator Verkhnechonskneftegaz will take care of families of individuals died in and after the accident, press service of the company told TASS earlier. The company will provide social support to families of victims and injured individuals in addition to required material support, the company’s representative said.