Three dead after roof weakened by Russian attacks collapsed at Kurakhove Thermal Power Plant

Three people have been injured and three killed at the Kurakhove thermal power plant (TPP), where a workroom collapsed on 7 July. The bodies of two missing workers have been found under the rubble.

Source: Ministry of Energy of Ukraine; Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office 

Quote from the Ministry of Energy: "During search and rescue operations at the thermal power plant in Donetsk Oblast, where an accident occurred on 7 July, the bodies of two workers who had previously been reported missing were found under the rubble. This brings the total number of people killed in this tragedy to three."

Details: On 8 July, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine reported that an accident had occurred at a thermal power plant in Donetsk Oblast, which had been repeatedly attacked by Russian forces. The roof of a boiler and turbine workroom collapsed, forcing the staff to shut down the power units. At the time, one person was reported killed, three more people were hospitalised with injuries, and two others were missing.

The Prosecutor's Office reported that the roof and several floors of a critical infrastructure facility in Kurakhove collapsed at around 23:10 on Friday, 7 July.

The stationary reinforced concrete ceiling of the boiler and turbine workroom between power units collapsed. A chemical analysis laboratory and the boiler and turbine workroom’s duty locksmiths' room were under the rubble, the Ministry of Energy reported. 

The collapse killed a chemical analysis laboratory technician and two engineers. An electric and gas welder and two locksmiths were hospitalised with injuries of varying severity (open head injury, rib fractures, bruises). Medical assistance was also provided to a woman who was about to suffer a heart attack.

As per the information available now, the roof collapsed as a result of previous attacks by the aggressor state on the facility. The fact that employees were allowed to work in emergency conditions is being looked into, the prosecutor's office said.

Under the procedural supervision of the Pokrovsk District Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation has been launched into a violation of safety rules when carrying out work with increased danger (Art. 272.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Background: Russian troops have repeatedly launched rocket attacks on the Kurakhove TPP (Donetsk Oblast), particularly in October 2022 and April 2023.

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