A powerful explosion at a factory in Kopeisk: what is known about the victims and injured

On the evening of October 22, an explosion was recorded at one of the enterprises of the city of Kopeysk in the Chelyabinsk region. A fire started at the scene, followed by a second explosion. According to the latest information, 12 people were killed. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

Explosion in Kopeisk: dead and injured

On Wednesday evening, October 22, residents of Kopeysk in the Chelyabinsk region heard two powerful pops, after which flames broke out in the sky and a siren sounded. The force of the explosions turned out to be so significant that they were felt in different parts of Chelyabinsk: in the Churilovo, Leninsky and AMZ districts. People reported that walls and windows were shaking in their homes, and car alarms were going off in the streets.

After the first explosion, a second one occurred in the ignition source. A headquarters was quickly set up at the scene to coordinate the actions of rescuers. Columns of special equipment and emergency personnel arrived at the enterprise. The regional Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations clarified that the fire was assigned an increased level of complexity. Specialists from the Disaster Medicine Center, as well as doctors from regional and Chelyabinsk hospitals, were involved in helping the victims.

According to the Governor of the Chelyabinsk region, Alexei Texler, on the morning of October 23, the open gorenje at the scene was eliminated. After the fire is completely extinguished, rescuers will begin to dismantle the rubble.

The causes of the explosion in Kopeisk

After the incident, the head of the region made an urgent statement, confirming that the incident occurred at an industrial facility in Kopeisk. He stressed that information about a possible UAV attack has not been confirmed and there is no threat from the air to the residents of the region.

According to preliminary data, the company could have allowed a violation of the technological process. The head of the region pointed out that there are no threats to the infrastructure and no civilian facilities.

The press center of the search and rescue service urged to remain calm and not approach the scene. In addition, the message advised to cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth if you happen to be near the scene of an emergency.

A criminal case has been opened into the explosion at the enterprise. This was reported on October 23 in the Telegram channel of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

"According to the investigation, in the evening of October 22, 2025, a clap occurred in the workshop on the territory of one of the industrial enterprises of the city of Kopeisk as a result of a violation of safety rules in the technological process," the report says.

The number of dead and injured

Initially, there were reports of four dead, but by the morning of October 23, the number of victims had increased to nine, and then to 12 people. This was reported by Izvestia on October 23, citing its own source.

Several victims remain in serious condition, they were promptly taken to medical institutions, where doctors continue to fight for their lives. Specialists from the Disaster Medicine Center and leading clinics in the region are involved in providing assistance. In addition, data on people whose fate is still unknown continues to be clarified.

"The families of the dead and injured will be provided with all necessary assistance and support. I will inform you about the decisions additionally," the governor of the region informed.

Explosion at an enterprise in Bashkortostan

This is not the first emergency at the plant in the last week. On October 17, an explosion occurred at the Avangard enterprise in Bashkir Sterlitamak in a nitrocellulose production plant. This was reported by the press service of the city administration. As a result of the incident, the building was seriously damaged, and people were trapped under the rubble.

Initially, the authorities reported eight victims, among them was a woman who was taken to the intensive care unit in serious condition. Later, the head of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, clarified that three victims were in the city hospital, and rescuers continued to search for five.

Subsequently, it was confirmed that three women had died, including a 23-year-old employee of the company. The Head of the Republic expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.