Incident at Kazan Gunpowder Factory Leaves One Injured
Initial reports describe a mishap at the Kazan State Gunpowder Factory where a model bullet exploded, injuring a worker. The information first emerged on a Telegram channel called Basis, which provided the early details of the incident.
According to that broadcast, the person hurt was a factory employee. The report stated that the injury involved the loss of a hand, a serious accident that required immediate medical attention.
Officials indicated that the blast happened in the afternoon on April 12 on the grounds of the Kazan State Gunpowder Factory. The blast occurred while a model bullet was being handled as part of routine testing and assessment activities at the facility. Authorities indicated that the device exploded near the building entrance, rather than inside a controlled testing chamber.
Emergency responders were called to the scene and the injured worker was transferred to a hospital for medical care. Medical staff were described as supervising the treatment to stabilize the patient and address the extent of the injuries as the situation developed.
During the initial assessment, observers noted that the shell layout in use contained a single charge of gunpowder that was meant to measure velocity. This detail was cited in the initial coverage as part of the explanation for why the test article did not involve a full weapon cartridge but a ballistic sample used for velocity measurements.
In a separate incident last year in the Sverdlovsk region a bullet explosion claimed a life. Eyewitness posts in local VKontakte groups suggested the blast occurred during the process of cutting a round, underscoring the potential dangers involved in handling ammunition components during testing or preparation work. Authorities typically review such events to improve safety protocols and prevent recurrence.
Officials have urged respect for ongoing investigations and emphasized that further details will be released through official channels as soon as they become available. The evolving nature of the incident means that investigators are examining the sequence of events, the specific testing procedures in use, and any contributing factors that may have led to the explosion at the facility.
Despite the seriousness of the injuries reported, representatives from the facility and local authorities stressed the importance of safety and compliance with established procedures for testing ballistic samples. They indicated that measures are being reviewed and any necessary improvements will be applied to future work at the site and similar facilities. The incident has prompted discussions about best practices in handling test munitions and the need for rigorous safety oversight during all stages of ballistic research and development. It remains a developing story as officials gather more information and confirm the precise circumstances surrounding the explosion.