Exercises of International Rescuing Forces in Moscow region - 27 September, 2002

During their exercises in the Moscow region city of Noginsk, International Rescuing Forces started to work out joint actions, which must be taken after a major chemical accident, caused by a terrorist act.

According to the scenario of the exercises, the terrorist act took place at the factory of plastic production at 11.00 A.M. /Moscow time/. Six buildings were severely damaged by the powerful explosion. Moreover, due to the depressurisation of the factory equipment, the atmosphere was polluted by chlorine and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. An area of 300 square metres was polluted with the chemical liquid. A chemical cloud of 500 cubic metres is moving in the direction of Noginsk.

At the present moment, the representatives of the Emergencies Ministry and NATO are conducting a chemical reconnaissance of the polluted area. Airplane Ilyushin Il-76 and helicopters Mi-8 and Mi-26 poured several tonnes of water over the factory. Afterwards, the rescuers will start searches and evacuation of people, who suffered in the accident. According to the scenario of the exercises, 225 people were present at the factory at the time of the explosion.

The operation is being monitored by Russian Emergencies Minister Sergey Shoigu, representatives of NATO and diplomatic missions of various countries.