Фото: Минздрав
The condition of all four patients injured at Belaruskali is assessed as stable but serious, the press service of the Ministry of Health reported. Two of the victims sustained severe inhalation injuries and are on mechanical ventilation, while the other two have shown slight improvement.
“Specialists at the Republican Burn Center of the Minsk Emergency Hospital are using various modern techniques to treat such injuries and are providing all necessary medical care,” the press release said.
A national medical consultation was held at the Minsk Emergency Hospital, attended by Leonid Nedenya, head of the Main Directorate for Medical Care Organization of the Health Ministry; the hospital’s chief physician; Olga Svetlitskaya, head of the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care with Advanced Training at the Belarusian State Medical University and Doctor of Medical Sciences; Alexei Zhidkov, deputy chief physician for surgery and Candidate of Medical Sciences; as well as burn intensive care specialists, combustiologists, and surgeons.
The experts determined the further treatment strategy for the injured. On the evening of October 31, they were transferred from the Soligorsk Central District Hospital.
As reported earlier, an empty hydrochloric acid tank ruptured on the 4th mining site of Belaruskali, damaging an adjacent tank containing acid and causing a leak. The spill was contained at 19:48. The acid was being pumped into a railway tank car. A young woman and three men were injured. Two of the patients underwent surgery before being transported to Minsk.
A criminal case has been opened in connection with the incident.