Death Toll From Fire at Amur Gas Chemical Complex Rises to 15

Aug. 27, 2026 Smoke rises from the Amur Gas Chemical Complex in Far East Russia. Russian Emergencies Ministry The Amur Gas Chemical Complex in Far East Russia said Thursday that the death toll from a fire that broke out at the facility earlier this week had risen to 15 people. The plant had initially said that seven people were killed in the blaze on Tuesday, including six Chinese nationals. By Thursday, the death toll had risen to 15, among them 14 foreigners, AGCC said in a statement without providing details about their nationalities. The company said 39 workers remain hospitalized, including nine who were airlifted to Moscow. The complex, which bills itself as one of the world's largest polyethylene and polypropylene producers, is a $10 billion joint venture between Russian petrochemical giant Sibur and China's state-owned oil and gas company Sinopec. When the fire broke out this week, the complex was undergoing final testing ahead of its planned launch in early 2027. AGCC said construction at the complex would continue, as would preparation for next year's launch. The Investigative Committee, Russia's top investigative body, said it opened a probe into possible safety violations and was working to establish the cause of the fire. The Amur Gas Chemical Complex is expected to produce 2.3 million metric tons of polyethylene and 400,000 tons of polypropylene per year. Reuters contributed reporting. Read more about: Accidents , Amur region Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Fire at Amur Gas Chemical Complex Kills 7 Workers, Injures Dozens More The Amur Gas Chemical Complex is a $10 billion joint venture between Russian petrochemical giant Sibur and China’s state-owned oil and gas company Sinopec... 1 Min read Train Derailment Blocks Trans-Siberian Railway, Sparks Forest Fire A total of 29 cars carrying coal were derailed at 2:30 p.m. local time in Far East Russia’s Amur region. 1 Min read Russian Rescuers Call Off Search for Trapped Miners Emergency crews have been unable to establish contact with the 13 miners since a rock collapse two weeks ago. 1 Min read Russian Rescuers Hope to Reach Trapped Miners ‘In Coming Days’ A rockslide at the Pioneer mine on Monday covered the 13 miners in rubble, with officials saying they believe the workers are still alive. 1 Min read