(Moscow, Russia) Earlier today (8/17), an accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station in Siberia resulted in at least eight fatalities, 10 serious injuries and 54 people missing. Electricity generation ceased immediately.
Reportedly, a turbine room flooded causing damages in billion of rubles. The Sayano-Shushenskaya plant is one of the world's largest and it is expected to be out of service for months.
Itar-Tass indicates that an oil-filled transformer exploded while repairs were in progress and a criminal case has been opened to investigate violation of labor safety rules.
[Update 8/18/09]
Latest reports indicate that 64 people are missing and probably dead.
The number of confirmed deaths at the facility in Siberia is 12 so far, but fears have been growing for many others unaccounted for.Damming the Yenisei River, the facility itself is reportedly not damaged. Nevertheless, the structure and foundation are being evaluated.
"Finding anyone alive in the flood zone is unlikely, but the search continues," a spokesman for state-run hydro-electricity company RusHydro said.
A rescue operation was launched after a turbine room flooded at the Sayano-Shushenskaya dam early on Monday. Amateur video of the accident posted on a Russian news site showed an explosion near the base of the dam amid a torrent of gushing water.
A spokesman for the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said some of the victims drowned and others were crushed by debris.
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