Fire at Russia-China joint venture plant kills 15 workers

The Amur Gas Chemical Complex, situated approximately 5,500 kilometers east of Moscow, reported that all fatalities were among its workforce. Management said one Russian citizen and 14 foreigners perished in the incident, though specific nationalities of most victims remained undisclosed. The complex had previously announced the recovery of bodies belonging to one Russian national and six Chinese citizens.

Social media footage captured the chaotic scene as workers evacuated the facility when the fire ignited on Tuesday. The exact circumstances that led to the outbreak remain under investigation by Russian authorities.

The Amur Gas Chemical Complex is a joint venture between China's state-owned Sinopec and Russian petrochemical firm Sibur. The facility represents significant energy sector cooperation between the two nations in Russia's strategically important Far Eastern region.

Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a probe into the fire's origin and whether safety regulations were breached at the facility. Authorities stated there were no preliminary indications of sabotage or criminal intent in the incident.