Russian Hydro Electric Dam Accident

At least eight people are dead and more than 50 are missing after a turbine room in one of Russia’s largest hydro-electric stations flooded.

A fatal accident at the RusHydro-owned hydro-electric station in Siberia has forced it to shutdown.

Water flooded one of the turbine rooms killing at least eight people.

State prosecutors say at least 54 people are still missing.

The dam’s closure has forced steel and aluminum plants across Siberia to use emergency power.

RusHydro said the damage runs into the billions and would take months to repair.

Russia’s Minster of Emergencies said it would take years.

[Sergei Shoigu, Russian Minister of Emergencies]:
„It wouldn’t take months but years to replace three of the affected turbines, and the remaining seven affected parts, (repair) work must be begin immediately.“

Locals fled the area when the accident happened, but have since returned home.

[Sergei Shoigu, Russian Minister of Emergencies]:
„As for electricity cuts, we are working to ensure that the local population do not suffer from this.“

The power station has been running for more than three decades providing electricity to one of the world’s largest aluminum producers, United Company Rusal.

The plant provides around 25 percent of RusHydro’s total capacity, the company’s shares have been suspended on the market.

The authorities are saying an explosion caused the flooding.

Local media reports suggest it was a water surge.

(NTDTV)