Blast and fire kill 16 at Russian chemicals plant - TASS

MOSCOW - Sixteen people were killed in an explosion and fire at a gunpowder and chemicals plant in Russia's western Ryazan province, TASS news agency reported on Friday, citing a source.

The emergencies ministry confirmed 12 deaths in the accident, saying four people remained missing.

TASS quoted its source as saying the accident had been caused by a failure to observe the proper technical process at the facility.