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Explosion Rocks Nuke Plant

An explosion at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant killed one person and has injured two others. Russia`s Interfax news agency says the individual who died suffered burns over 75 percent of his body. The other two injured were listed in serious condition.

The explosion originated at the furnace of the Ecomet-S enterprise, a sub-contractor of the nuclear plant, according to a statement issued by the St. Petersburg government. The furnace is located at the premises of the nuclear plant`s second reactor, which was shut down for reconstruction says a statement.

The International Atomic Energy Agency spokesman, Marc Vidricaire, says Russian authorities told the agency there was no release of radioactivity. A statement from the nuclear power plant calls the accident a "splash of smelt" from the furnace.