MOSCOW, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A firefighter was killed while responding to a petrochemical plant fire in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, raising the total fatalities in the accident to three, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said Tuesday.
According to the ministry, the 27-year-old firefighter encountered a sudden explosion while extinguishing the fire and rescuing people, and suffered a fatal injury.
Three other firefighters were also injured during search and rescue, as well as fire suppression operations.
Earlier, the Russian gas processing and petrochemical company Sibur said two people were killed and over 70 others injured in the accident.
The plant affected is operated by its subsidiary Nizhnekamskneftekhim in western Russia, according to the company.
The ministry said a pumping unit at the plant caught fire, triggering an explosion and the subsequent blaze, adding that the fire had been contained.
Russia's Investigative Committee has launched an investigation into the incident. ■
