The Amur Gas Chemical Complex in Far East Russia said Thursday that the death toll from a fire that broke out at the facility earlier this week had risen to 15 people.
The plant had initially said that seven people were killed in the blaze on Tuesday, including six Chinese nationals.
By Thursday, the death toll had risen to 15, among them 14 foreigners, AGCC said in a statement without providing details about their nationalities. The company said 39 workers remain hospitalized, including nine who were airlifted to Moscow.
The complex, which bills itself as one of the world's largest polyethylene and polypropylene producers, is a $10 billion joint venture between Russian petrochemical giant Sibur and China's state-owned oil and gas company Sinopec.
When the fire broke out this week, the complex was undergoing final testing ahead of its planned launch in early 2027.
AGCC said construction at the complex would continue, as would preparation for next year's launch.
The Investigative Committee, Russia's top investigative body, said it opened a probe into possible safety violations and was working to establish the cause of the fire.
The Amur Gas Chemical Complex is expected to produce 2.3 million metric tons of polyethylene and 400,000 tons of polypropylene per year.
Reuters contributed reporting.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
