PINSK, Belarus -- An explosion today at a plywood plant in the southwestern Belarusian town of Pinsk resulted in one reported death and several injuries, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports.
Larisa Tsikhan, a medical worker involved in rescue operations, told RFE/RL that two main boilers exploded, causing the workshop's glass roof to collapse on dozens of workers.
The Pinsk city authorities and ambulance personnel refused to comment on the accident. But Berastse regional officials told journalists that one worker was killed in the explosion and 13 were hospitalized. Others were injured but did not need hospitalization.
An RFE/RL correspondent reports that Ivan Chuklay Street, where the plywood plant is located, is completely blocked by police. No one is allowed to approach the plant.
Local resident Halina Zdrok told RFE/RL that the explosion was so strong that it shattered all the windows in nearby apartment blocks and other buildings.
Larisa Tsikhan, a medical worker involved in rescue operations, told RFE/RL that two main boilers exploded, causing the workshop's glass roof to collapse on dozens of workers.
The Pinsk city authorities and ambulance personnel refused to comment on the accident. But Berastse regional officials told journalists that one worker was killed in the explosion and 13 were hospitalized. Others were injured but did not need hospitalization.
An RFE/RL correspondent reports that Ivan Chuklay Street, where the plywood plant is located, is completely blocked by police. No one is allowed to approach the plant.
Local resident Halina Zdrok told RFE/RL that the explosion was so strong that it shattered all the windows in nearby apartment blocks and other buildings.