13 Aug 2019 | 05:25 PM UTC
Russia: Following explosion August 8, residents of Nyonoksa (Arkhangelsk oblast) to be evacuated August 14 /update 2
Following an accidental explosion on August 8, authorities announce Nyonoksa (Arkhangelsk oblast) to be evacuated August 14
Event
Local authorities announced that residents of the town of Nyonoksa (Arkhangelsk oblast) will be evacuated on Wednesday, August 14, following the explosion of a suspected nuclear-powered missile at a nearby military testing site on Thursday, August 8. Trains will arrive between 5:00 and 7:00 (local time) on Wednesday to evacuate residents. Russian government officials stated that the evacuation was due to planned military activities, and unconnected to the August 8 explosion, which saw radiation levels in the area rise to 16 times the normal level and left five Russian scientists dead and several others injured.
Ports in the Dvina Bay area of the White Sea are to remain closed to shipping for a month following the accident. Despite the spike in radiation, health officials maintain that the radiation levels observed pose no danger to public health.
Advice
Individuals in the area are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders).
