Plant explosion in Russia's Sterlitamak leaves 3 people dead
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Three women were killed in an explosion at the Avangard plant in Sterlitamak, as officials ruled out a drone attack and launched an investigation into the cause.
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Footage captured the explosion at the Avangard plant in the Russian city of Sterlitamak on October 17, 2025. (Social media)
An explosion at the Avangard plant in the Russian city of Sterlitamak killed three people on Friday, according to Radii Khabirov, head of Russia's Bashkortostan Region. The victims, all women, were recovered from the rubble after the blast by emergency services.
"Sterlitamak’s Avangard, where a serious emergency occurred yesterday, is an enterprise with special working conditions. It deals with explosive substances. As a result of a rather powerful explosion, one of the buildings was destroyed...Unfortunately, three people died, all women," Khabirov stated on Telegram.
Three people died as a result of a blast at the Avangard military plant in Bashkortostan ( ru ), — authoritieshttps://t.co/dnBa5FokAL
— Lew Anno Support#Israel #Ukraine 24/2-22 (@anno1540) October 18, 2025
Nine people were injured.
The cause of yesterday's explosion at the defense plant in Sterlitamak, as previously reported by pro-government… pic.twitter.com/RQxdle34ye
Rescue teams freed all individuals trapped in the debris following the Sterlitamak factory blast, and five others were hospitalized, but their injuries are not life-threatening, according to local authorities.
"Among them is a young girl born in 2002. Two of the women left children behind. The enterprise will provide the necessary support measures, and compensation will definitely be paid. I express my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased," Khabirov wrote.
He also confirmed that the Avangard plant would provide direct assistance to the victims' families.
Drone attack rumors refuted by officials
Following the blast, speculation circulated on social media suggesting that the incident was caused by a drone strike. However, Khabirov dismissed these claims, stressing that the explosion was not related to any external attack.
"There were various claims that it was a drone attack. No, there was an explosion, and its causes are currently being investigated by forensic experts," he said.
🚨🇷🇺BLAST AT RUSSIAN EXPLOSIVES PLANT KILLS THREE IN BASHKORTOSTAN
— Info Room (@InfoR00M) October 18, 2025
An explosion at the Avangard explosives plant in Sterlitamak, Bashkortostan, killed three and injured five, officials said Saturday. The blast, which occurred Friday evening, was not linked to Ukrainian drone… https://t.co/aEYYhgahgz pic.twitter.com/9JlPbkLBae
Khabirov noted that the factory, although aged, plays a critical role in national production. "The factory is quite old, but it fulfills an important state task. No matter what, the enterprise will continue to produce extremely necessary and in-demand products," he said.
