Russia opens criminal case after 10 workers die from sewage plant fumes

Russian investigators opened a criminal case on Friday after 10 workers died of suspected poisoning while cleaning a sewage plant.

Russia's Investigative Committee, a body that probes major crimes, said it was investigating whether the plant in the village of Dmitriadovka, near the city of Taganrog inRussia's southern Rostov region, had violated industrial safety rules.

The RIA news agency cited local officials as saying methane had leaked during emergency restoration work at the sewage treatment plant.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Authorities in Taganrog said 10 people had died and another eight had been hospitalised.

A person who answered the phone at the plant declined to comment and referred all inquiries to the Taganrog administration.