General Prosecutor's Office: two persons killed by fire at Sumgait plant

In Sumgait, as a result of the fire at the plant for the production of household chemical products, two persons were killed, two other persons got injuries of varying severity, and one more person disappeared. This was reported by General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan.

Earlier, it was reported that five persons perished and seven more persons were injured as a result of an explosion and a subsequent fire at the plant, located in the city of Sumgait, 25 km from the capital of Azerbaijan. According to "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, there were three explosions at the plant.

The identities of the persons, who were killed or injured in the accident, are to be clarified.

The cause of the explosions and the subsequent fire at the chemical plant JSC (Joint-Stock Company) "Household Goods" was a violation of the norms of fire safety and labour safety in conducting of welding works at fuel tanks (reservoirs). This was reported by joint statement of the Ministry for Emergencies (MfE) and the General Prosecutor's Office, which was released today at 9:30 p.m. local time (8:30 p.m. Moscow time).

The Sumgait City Prosecutor's Office has instituted the criminal case on the fact of the incident under two Articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan: Article 162.2 (violation of labour safety rules) and 225.2 (violation of fire safety rules).

As at 10:30 p.m. local time (9:30 p.m. Moscow time), the fire was still not extinguished.