Prosecutors have charged five individuals in connection with a catastrophic explosion in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr Oblast, which resulted in two fatalities and over 80 injuries. The blast, which occurred on July 2, destroyed more than 100 homes, three gas stations, and 20 vehicles in the village of Berezyna near Zhytomyr. Local officials reported that the explosion was caused by a fire sparked by improper handling and storage of explosives, leading to a chain of powerful detonations.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office announced that two company directors and three employees have been formally charged with violating safety rules related to explosives and other crimes under Ukraine’s criminal code. One of the directors is alleged to have established an illegal production facility for explosive materials and employed unqualified personnel lacking proper training or certification. The company reportedly operated without permits, licenses, or regulatory oversight and was located in close proximity to residential housing, raising serious concerns about the risks posed to nearby communities.
Law enforcement officials are conducting searches at the homes of the company executives and founders of the businesses involved in the incident. The prosecutor’s office has filed motions requesting pre-trial detention for all five suspects, highlighting the severity of the alleged offenses. The explosion has raised questions about the adequacy of safety protocols in industrial operations and the need for stricter enforcement of regulations to prevent similar tragedies. Authorities have emphasized the importance of holding those responsible accountable for the loss of life and property damage caused by the incident.