Death Toll From Fire at Amur Gas Chemical Complex Rises to 15

The death toll at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex in Far East Russia has increased to 15 people following a fire that erupted at the facility earlier this week, according to the complex. The initial report indicated seven fatalities, six of whom were Chinese nationals. By Thursday, the toll had climbed to 15, with 14 of the victims being foreigners, though the nationalities of these individuals were not specified by the facility.

Out of the 39 workers still hospitalized, nine have been airlifted to Moscow for further treatment. The Amur Gas Chemical Complex, a massive joint venture between Russian petrochemical giant Sibur and China's state-owned oil and gas company Sinopec, is valued at $10 billion. The complex was in the final stages of testing prior to its anticipated launch in early 2027.

Despite the tragedy, the facility's operators stated that construction would proceed as planned, along with preparations for the planned launch. Russia's Investigative Committee has initiated an inquiry into potential safety breaches and is working to determine the cause of the fire. Authorities are also probing possible violations of safety protocols.

The Amur Gas Chemical Complex is projected to annually produce 2.3 million metric tons of polyethylene and 400,000 tons of polypropylene. In a statement, The Moscow Times highlighted the ongoing challenges faced in Russia, noting that the country's Prosecutor General's Office has classified the outlet as undesirable, which could lead to legal repercussions for its staff.

The journalists of The Moscow Times, who have been labeled as a foreign agent, reiterated their commitment to providing unbiased and accurate reporting on Russia and appealed for public support to continue their work despite the pressures they face.