Blaze at Russia’s Tuapse refinery continues as casualties confirmed photo / video

A fire at the Tuapse oil refinery in Russia has continued for more than 42 hours, with emergency services still unable to fully extinguish the blaze as of the latest available information, according to ASTRA.

The most recent official update on firefighting efforts was released on the morning of April 17. Later that same day, authorities reported ongoing debris clearance in residential areas following a Ukrainian attack carried out during the night of April 16.

The attack resulted in two fatalities, including a 14-year-old girl, and left seven people injured. Damage was reported to 52 private homes, eight apartment buildings, and three socially significant facilities.

The administration of the Tuapse municipal district, citing air quality tests conducted by Rospotrebnadzor, stated that concentrations of harmful substances in the air “do not exceed permissible limits.” However, sanitary authorities advised residents to limit time outdoors, keep windows closed, rinse their eyes, throat, and nose, and wear masks or respirators if going outside is unavoidable.

Footage published by local residents shows thick smoke rising from the area, as well as videos indicating the presence of a visible “film” on the surface of the sea near the shore, believed to be oil.

The Tuapse oil refinery, located in Russia’s Krasnodar region, is operated by RN-Tuapse Oil Refinery LLC. The facility forms part of a unified production complex together with the marine terminal of Rosneft’s oil product supply subsidiary, RN-Marine Terminal Tuapse LLC, and is included in the structure of the Rosneft oil company.

Earlier reports indicated that the April 16 overnight attack triggered the fire at the refinery, while an additional fire broke out offshore near the coastline. Ash from the refinery fire was reported to have fallen on residential neighbourhoods in the city.

By Tamilla Hasanova