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Ukrainian army denies involvement in Donetsk chemical plant blast

Xinhua, February 16, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Ukrainian army on Wednesday denied the accusation of being involved in the blast at a chemical plant located in the conflict-torn Donetsk city in eastern Ukraine.

The government military spokesman Olexandr Motuzyanyk said the explosion at the Donetsk public factory of chemical products, which is controlled by pro-independence insurgents, was caused by negligence.

"The incident has occurred due to the failure of rebels to comply with safety measures when dealing with explosive remnants," Motuzyanyk said, citing intelligence data.

The powerful blast rocked the chemical plant, which produces ammunition, demolition equipment and explosives, on Tuesday.

The operational command of insurgents said the blast, which killed a civilian and damaged 12 nearby buildings, was caused by the Ukrainian army shelling.

Meanwhile, local ecologists have warned about a possible negative impact of the blast on the environment as the plant is located near a storage site of radioactive waste materials. Endit