Seven people are dead following a mysterious fire at a Russian defence research centre.
Dozens more are injured after the blaze broke out at the institute in the northwestern city of Tver, with employees even jumping from the building, local media reported.
Footage from the scene circulating on Russian social media showed thick smoke billowing from the windows of the Central Research Institute of the Russian Air and Space Forces.
Several workers jumped from the four-storey building to escape the flames, witnesses told broadcasters, but it was unclear exactly how many.
The cause of the fire also remains unclear amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and questions about President Vladimir Putin’s leadership.
But the TASS state news agency claimed that preliminary information suggested the fire was caused by faulty electric wiring.
Before two additional deaths were reported, a representative of emergency services told the RIA Novosti news agency said: ’26 people were injured in the fire, five of them died.’
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The defence ministry said the institute focuses on research related to Russian air and space defence, as well as the development of new anti-aircraft systems.
Accidental fires are common in Russia, where hundreds of blazes are recorded each year due to ageing and poor infrastructure and non-compliance with lax safety standards.
It is unclear if there were any chemicals released in the smoke.
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