Worker killed at Obukhovskaya mine in Russia’s Rostov region

A worker died on October 13 during preparations for blasting. Prosecutors have launched an inspection and a criminal case has been opened.

The mine’s management told RIA Novosti and Interfax that the accident occurred in a development heading. The employee worked as a tunneller and blasting assistant and sustained fatal injuries. Emergency responders and representatives of Russia’s Investigative Committee arrived at the site.

The Rostov regional prosecutor’s office said it was checking compliance with federal legislation and establishing the circumstances of the worker’s death. The criminal case concerns a suspected breach of industrial safety requirements at a hazardous production facility resulting in death through negligence. Prosecutors are overseeing the investigation.

Management said the mine resumed normal operations after the necessary procedures at the scene were completed. The cause of the accident remains to be established. The company’s account places the incident during preparations for blasting but does not explain the precise mechanism that caused the fatal injuries.