An explosion at a thermal power plant in Tuva resulted in 18 people being hospitalized, a report released through the republic’s official channels confirmed. The republic’s leader, Vladislav Khovalyg, shared the latest numbers in a public address streamed on his Telegram channel, offering a concise update on the situation and the ongoing response efforts.
Officials said nine patients were in moderate condition, three were in satisfactory condition, and six remained in serious condition. The head of the republic noted that search operations were continuing at the site to locate three additional missing individuals who may still be among those affected. The priority throughout remains rapid transport to medical facilities for all victims, with a focus on swift triage and stabilization. All injured people are being moved to regional hospitals in Kyzil for specialized care while authorities coordinate medical responses and transfer logistics with local health facilities.
In the briefing, Khovalyg stated that 21 workers were employed at the Shagonarskaya Combined Heat and Power Plant, the facility involved in the incident, highlighting the potential scale of the operation and the immediate impact on staffing and power supply in the region. The emergency occurred on the morning of March 6 in the Ulug-Khem district of Tuva, triggering a fire and an ensuing explosion as the blaze spread. Authorities have not disclosed specific details about the ignition source, but the sequence of events indicates a rapid worsening that required emergency responses from local fire services and medical teams.
Republican officials reported that all four boilers at the plant were intact and operational following the incident. The facility is responsible for delivering heat and, indirectly, power to roughly 60 households in the city, making the reliability of its operation a critical concern for residents and municipal planners alike. The current assessment focuses on safety checks, structural integrity, and the rapid restoration of normal service levels while ensuring that emergency medical needs remain fully supported during the recovery phase.
Earlier updates indicated security-related incidents connected to the broader energy sector in Russia. In St. Petersburg, two men were detained for filming a thermal power plant with a quadcopter, raising concerns about surveillance, safety, and potential interference with critical infrastructure. Authorities indicated that security measures around power facilities remain a priority, with investigations into suspicious activity and adherence to safety protocols continuing alongside the emergency response in Tuva.