14 Dead in Fire at Russian Fireworks Factory

MOSCOW: At least 14 people died in a devastating blaze at a fireworks factory in central Russia on Monday, Russian state media reported, citing emergency services.

The tragic incident took place in the village of Kubrinsk, about 100 kilometres north of Moscow in the Yaroslavl region. The state TASS news agency reported that the death toll rose to 14, with one additional person sustaining injuries.

Video footage published by state-owned broadcaster RT appeared to show bright sparks shooting out of a smouldering pile of twisted rubble. Deadly fires remain common across Russia, with officials often blaming lax safety standards.

Following the explosion, the regional prosecution service announced that it has formally opened an investigation into suspected violations of industrial safety rules.