The Causes of an Explosion at Sumgayit Chemical Factory is Investicated

Emergencies Ministry and Prosecutor General's Office made a second official statement in connection with the fire on September 17 at the household chemical plant in the city of Sumgait. The report states the fire killed three people, and another 10 were injured.

Welding  employees of the company, who were residents of Sumgait, Sabir Babayev, Abulfaz Safaraliev and Peary Piriyev, were killed. The bodies were sent for forensic examination.

Of the 10 injured, seven were firefighters, MOE, and three are plant workers. They were taken to a hospital for emergency medical care. Eight were sent home after primary care and two are still under going treatment. 

The fire, which began at 17:00 on Monday was extinguished by 4:00 am Tuesday.

According to preliminary data, management of the welding work caused a tank explosion and fire, with flames spreading to other tanks containing chemicals contributing to the fire.

Technical and fire safety rules were violated causing the deaths and injuries. The Sumgait Prosecutor instituted criminal proceedings under two articles of the Criminal Code - 162.2 (violation of safety rules) and 225.2 (violation of fire safety).

Fire-technical, forensic investigations and other examinations are being conducted.

An investigative team was set up given the complexity of the criminal case. The investigations are conducted by the Sumgayit city prosecutor's office, said the prosecutor general's office and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Note the company is privately owned. It was privatized and unofficially belongs to a family of one of the oligarch ministers. -06D -