A fire broke out at an oil refinery in northwestern Russia on Sunday, causing deaths and injuries, local authorities said.
The governor said the fire was not the result of a Ukrainian drone strike and investigators have opened a criminal case of alleged negligence.
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At least three people were injured in a fire near the city of Ukhta in the northwestern Russian republic of Komi, the Komi Republic Ministry of Emergency Situations said. Local investigators said the blaze also killed some, but did not say how many, or whether it had been extinguished.
The Russian tricolor flag flutters in the wind in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral in central Moscow on March 15, 2024, the first day of voting in the three-day presidential election. (Getty Images)
“Today a fire broke out during scheduled technical work by contractors at an oil refinery in the city of Ukhta, resulting in casualties,” investigators wrote in Telegram.
Investigators have opened a criminal investigation into possible negligence at the oil refinery.
Regional governor Vladimir Uiba said the fire was not related to a drone strike. Russian refineries and oil terminals have become priority targets for Ukrainian drone attacks in recent months as part of stepped-up attacks on Russian territory.
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Local authorities did not say which company the refinery belonged to, but images released by the local emergency affairs ministry showed the logo of oil giant Lukoil.
