‘Explosion’ at world’s largest uranium enrichment plant in Russia leaves one person dead in horror 'blast' | The Sun
A MAJOR explosion at the world’s largest uranium enrichment plant in Russia has left one person dead in an apparent accident.
The horror blast at the Ural Electrochemical Combine in the city of Novouralsk caused the death of a 65-year-old worker.
A statement from the plant said the accident happened due to a "depressurisation" of a cylinder containing depleted uranium hexafluoride.
The by-product is highly toxic and fatal if swallowed or inhaled.
The plant, part of Rosatom, Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, denied any radioactive leakage outside the plant.
Radiation levels on the premises and in the surrounding area are normal, it said in a statement.
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"There is no danger to the residents of Novouralsk and the plant personnel," the statement added.
Media outlet 112 reported: "A Rosatom employee died in the explosion of a tank with depleted uranium hexafluoride."
While a report by E1 said: "The situation is local in nature – it is dangerous only in the production area.
"The workshop staff was evacuated."
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A major clean-up operation is underway in the plant.
The 65-year-old victim was named as Yuri Slezkin.
When uranium is enriched, depleted uranium hexafluoride is formed.
The Russians said it "does not pose a radiation hazard – its radioactivity is less than that of natural uranium".
The plant provides 48 per cent of uranium enrichment separation capacity in Russia.
The incident comes at a time when Russian strategic facilities have been hit by sabotage attacks.
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