Five dead in Russian factory explosion

An explosion at a metalworks factory in an industrial town in western Russia has killed five people and injured several others, the Russian news agency Interfax reports

The explosion on Friday is believed to have been caused by an incineration of natural gas at a new building under construction at the facility, local authorities said in a statement.

Several of the injured and at least one of the dead were identified as Turkish nationals, according to Interfax.

Turkish companies are often involved in construction projects in Russia.

The incident occurred in the town of Mtsensk, an industrial hub about 300 kilometres south of Moscow.