Tragedy at Chelyabinsk: Death Toll Rises After Military Plant Explosion

The explosion at a military plant in Kopeisk near Chelyabinsk has resulted in 23 deaths, doubling the initial count. All victims were employees. Local authorities confirm no drone attack links, and the incident is under criminal investigation.

The death toll from last week's explosion at a military plant near Chelyabinsk has surged to 23, more than twice the initial figures, according to local officials.

The catastrophic event occurred at an industrial facility in Kopeisk, a city close to the Chelyabinsk regional capital, claiming the lives of at least a dozen workers initially and injuring around two dozen others, as reported by the regional governor, Aleksei Teksler.

Teksler assured that there was no evidence of drone involvement in the disaster. Ukraine made no comments regarding the incident. Local media cited eyewitnesses saying the explosion happened at the 'Plastmass' plant controlled by the Russian state corporation Rostec. Russian authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into the explosion.

(With inputs from agencies.)