Russian defense ministry, Rosatom staff die in accident in Arkhangelsk region - source

MOSCOW, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Specialists from Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom and Defence Ministry died in an accident at a military site in the Arkhangelsk Region, the Sputnik news agency said, quoting a source in the ministry as saying on Saturday.

Rosatom said earlier in the day that five of its employees died in an accident that happened during tests of a liquid-propellant rocket engine at a military site in the Arkhangelsk region.

The Defence Ministry has said that two people were killed in the accident that took place on Thursday.

"The specialists of Rosatom and the Defence Ministry died at a military range in the Arkhangelsk Region as an experimental liquid-propellant [engine] system ignited.

At the moment of ignition, the employees of Rosatom checked isotope sources of energy created for the liquid propellant system," the source said.

-- BERNAMA