Explosion at Russian military depot sparks massive evacuationAugust 6, 2019 - 12:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia's Defense Ministry said on Monday, August 5 that explosions at a storage facility for gunpowder charges prompted the evacuation of 6,000 residents in the town of Achinsk, as well as towns and villages within a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) radius, Deutsche Welle reports. Authorities declared a state of emergency in the Krasnoyarsk region. Unverified videos posted on social media showed powerful explosions sending plumes of black smoke high into the sky. Air traffic was suspended within 30 kilometers of the military site. Krasnoyarsk governor Alexander Uss said that between five and eight people may have been injured. "There is no threat to their lives," he added in televised comments. Authorities planned to evacuate a further 11,000 people, broadcaster Russia 24 reported.Rusal, the world's largest aluminum producer outside China, suspended operations at its Achinsk alumina plant and evacuated all but essential staff to ensure their safety, it said. The plant is Russia's largest producer of alumina, a raw material which is smelted into aluminum. Around a dozen accidents have happened in explosives factories across Russia since 2014, according to the TASS news agency. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. Schengen visa cost won’t change for Armenia – diplomat The increase in the cost of a Schengen visa will not apply to citizens of Armenia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said. Yeremyan Projects opens state-of-the-art dairy production plant Yeremyan Projects officially launched the Yeremyan Products state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Yerevan on May 24. Armenian PM’s helicopter makes emergency landing in Vanadzor The helicopter transporting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made an emergency landing in Vanadzor. |