No signs of terrorism, sabotage seen behind blast at Bishkek power plant - prosecutors

BISHKEK. Feb 2 (Interfax) - A criminal case has been opened into an accident at the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant, while investigators have not detected any signs of an act of terrorism or sabotage, the Kyrgyz Prosecutor General's Office said on Friday.

"At about 3:00 a.m. on February 2, an equipment explosion occurred at the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant owing to inappropriate performance of duties by administrative personnel and failure to follow safety precautions," it said.

The Bishkek prosecutor's office has opened a criminal case on counts of abuse of office by employees of business or other organizations, violation of safety precautions during the construction, operation, or maintenance of trunk pipelines, and abuse of office.

The investigation has been assigned to the National Security Committee.

"No indications of an act of terrorism or sabotage are seen in the incident," it said.

As reported earlier, there was an accident at the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant. Preliminary findings indicate that a boiler blew up.

The Health Ministry said five people were injured in the accident.