Lax explosion. LAX Dry Ice Bomb Incidents: Security Ramped Up After Multiple Explosions

What were the circumstances surrounding the dry ice bomb explosions at LAX. How did authorities respond to the security threat. Who was arrested in connection with the incidents.

The Dry Ice Bomb Incidents at LAX

In October 2013, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) experienced a series of alarming incidents involving dry ice bombs. Over the course of two days, four dry ice devices were discovered in restricted areas of the airport, with two of them detonating. These events prompted a swift response from law enforcement and raised concerns about airport security.

What is a dry ice bomb?

A dry ice bomb is a crude explosive device made by sealing dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) in a plastic bottle. As the dry ice sublimates from a solid directly to a gas, pressure builds up inside the sealed container until it ruptures explosively. While generally not powerful enough to cause significant structural damage, dry ice bombs can create loud blasts and potentially injure people nearby.

Timeline of the LAX Dry Ice Bomb Incidents

The series of incidents unfolded as follows:

• Sunday night: First explosion occurs in an employee bathroom in Terminal 2
• Monday night: Second explosion takes place near the gate area of Tom Bradley International Terminal
• Two additional unexploded dry ice bombs were discovered

The explosions and discoveries occurred in restricted areas of the airport, not in public passenger zones. This fact became a key focus of the subsequent investigation.

Impact on Airport Operations

The dry ice bomb incidents caused disruptions to normal airport operations:

• Sunday night explosion suspended operations in Terminal 2
• Flights were delayed until about 8:45 PM as the LAPD bomb squad responded
• Approximately four flights were affected
• Monday night explosion caused minimal disruption

Despite the relatively limited operational impact, the incidents raised significant security concerns and prompted a thorough investigation.

Law Enforcement Response and Investigation

The discovery of multiple dry ice bombs at a major international airport triggered an immediate and coordinated law enforcement response:

• Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) took the lead in the investigation
• FBI provided assistance to the LAPD
• LAPD’s criminal conspiracy division handled the case
• Airport police increased security measures in restricted areas

Authorities emphasized that there appeared to be “no nexus” to terrorism, but treated the incidents as serious security breaches nonetheless.

How did investigators approach the case?

Investigators focused on the restricted nature of the locations where the devices were found. This suggested that the perpetrator likely had inside access to secure areas of the airport. Law enforcement examined employee records, security camera footage, and conducted interviews with airport staff to identify potential suspects.

Arrest and Charges

The investigation moved swiftly, resulting in an arrest within days of the incidents:

• Dicarlo Bennett, a 28-year-old baggage handler, was arrested on Tuesday evening
• Bennett worked for Servisair, a company providing ground services at LAX
• He was taken into custody at his apartment in Paramount, California
• Bennett was charged with suspicion of exploding a destructive device near an aircraft

The arrest of an airport employee confirmed initial suspicions that the incidents were likely an inside job rather than an external security breach.

Enhanced Security Measures at LAX

In response to the dry ice bomb incidents, LAX authorities implemented increased security protocols:

• Heightened police presence in restricted areas
• Increased vigilance and security checks for employees
• Renewed emphasis on the “If you see something, say something” policy
• Review of access protocols for restricted areas

Sgt. Karla Ortiz of the Los Angeles Airport Police stated, “We want to make sure that [security] gets tightened up.” The incidents highlighted the importance of internal security measures and employee screening at airports.

Public Reaction and Passenger Concerns

The dry ice bomb incidents at LAX naturally raised concerns among travelers and the general public. While no passengers were directly endangered by the explosions, the events underscored the ongoing challenges of maintaining security at major transportation hubs.

Passenger Feliciano Jiron expressed his unease to KCBS-TV, saying, “Given the times we live in, it’s a bit interesting that something like this would happen, even with all the security and all the efforts that people are putting forward.”

How did airport officials address passenger concerns?

LAX authorities emphasized that the incidents occurred in restricted areas not accessible to the public. They assured travelers that passenger screening and security measures in public areas remained robust. The swift arrest of a suspect also helped to alleviate some public anxiety about ongoing threats.

Comparison to Similar Incidents

The LAX dry ice bomb incidents were not without precedent. Earlier in 2013, a similar event occurred at Disneyland:

• A dry ice bomb was left in a trash can in the park’s Toon Town area
• The incident led to a partial evacuation of the theme park
• A Disneyland employee was arrested for allegedly planting the device

These incidents highlight the need for vigilance not only at airports but at all high-traffic public venues. They also demonstrate the potential for insider threats, where employees with privileged access may pose security risks.

Lessons Learned and Future Implications

The LAX dry ice bomb incidents served as a wake-up call for airport security professionals worldwide. Several key lessons emerged from these events:

1. Importance of employee screening: The incidents underscored the need for thorough background checks and ongoing monitoring of airport staff.
2. Securing restricted areas: Airports must continually assess and enhance security protocols in employee-only zones.
3. Rapid response protocols: The swift and coordinated response by multiple agencies demonstrated the importance of well-practiced emergency procedures.
4. Public communication: Clear and timely communication with travelers helps maintain confidence in airport security measures.
5. Threat assessment: The ability to quickly determine the nature and scope of a threat is crucial for appropriate resource allocation and response.

What long-term changes resulted from these incidents?

In the aftermath of the dry ice bomb events, LAX and other airports around the world reviewed and updated their security procedures. This included:

• Enhanced employee background check procedures
• Increased random security screenings for staff entering restricted areas
• Implementation of new technologies to detect unusual items or behaviors in secure zones
• Expanded security awareness training for all airport employees
• Regular security audits and penetration testing of airport facilities

These measures aim to address both external threats and potential insider risks, creating a more comprehensive security framework for airports.

The Broader Context of Airport Security Challenges

The LAX dry ice bomb incidents occurred against a backdrop of evolving security challenges faced by airports worldwide. In the post-9/11 era, aviation security has focused heavily on screening passengers and preventing external threats. However, these events highlighted the need to also address potential insider threats.

What are some other examples of insider threats at airports?

While relatively rare, there have been other instances of airport employees exploiting their positions for illegal activities:

• Smuggling operations using insider knowledge of security procedures
• Theft of passenger belongings from checked luggage
• Unauthorized access to restricted areas or aircraft
• Sharing of sensitive security information with outside parties

Addressing these insider risks requires a multifaceted approach combining technology, training, and cultural changes within airport organizations.

The Role of Technology in Preventing Future Incidents

As airports continue to evolve their security measures, technology plays an increasingly important role in detecting and preventing potential threats, including those posed by insiders.

What new technologies are being deployed to enhance airport security?

Some innovative technologies being explored or implemented include:

• Advanced video analytics to detect suspicious behavior or abandoned objects
• Biometric access control systems for restricted areas
• AI-powered screening systems for employees and their belongings
• Enhanced chemical detection systems to identify potential explosive materials
• Drone detection and mitigation systems to protect airspace around airports

These technological solutions, combined with robust human intelligence and security protocols, aim to create multiple layers of protection against both external and internal threats.

Balancing Security and Efficiency in Airport Operations

One of the ongoing challenges for airport authorities is maintaining a high level of security without significantly impacting the efficiency of airport operations. The LAX dry ice bomb incidents demonstrated the potential for even relatively minor security breaches to cause operational disruptions.

How can airports maintain security without creating bottlenecks?

Airports are employing several strategies to balance security and operational efficiency:

• Risk-based security approaches that focus resources on higher-risk individuals or areas
• Implementation of faster, less intrusive screening technologies for both passengers and employees
• Increased use of pre-screening programs to expedite known, low-risk travelers
• Better integration of security processes into overall airport design and passenger flow
• Continuous training and performance monitoring of security personnel to improve efficiency

By adopting these approaches, airports aim to maintain robust security measures while minimizing delays and disruptions to travelers and airport operations.

The Importance of International Cooperation in Aviation Security

While the LAX dry ice bomb incidents were localized events, they highlighted the global nature of aviation security challenges. Airports around the world closely monitored the response to these incidents and sought to incorporate lessons learned into their own security protocols.

How do countries collaborate on aviation security?

International cooperation in aviation security takes several forms:

• Sharing of intelligence and best practices through organizations like ICAO and IATA
• Harmonization of security standards and procedures to ensure consistency across borders
• Joint training exercises and security audits between partner countries
• Collaborative research and development of new security technologies
• Coordinated responses to emerging threats and incidents

This global approach to aviation security helps ensure that vulnerabilities identified in one location can be quickly addressed worldwide, creating a more resilient air transportation system.

The Human Factor in Airport Security

While much attention is often focused on technological solutions, the LAX dry ice bomb incidents underscored the critical importance of the human element in airport security. The “If you see something, say something” campaign emphasized by LAX officials after the incidents highlights the role that every airport employee and passenger plays in maintaining a secure environment.

How can airports foster a culture of security awareness?

Creating a strong security culture within airports involves several key elements:

• Regular security awareness training for all airport employees, not just security personnel
• Encouraging open communication about potential security concerns without fear of reprisal
• Recognition and rewards for employees who identify and report security issues
• Clear protocols for reporting suspicious activities or objects
• Leadership that consistently prioritizes and models security-conscious behavior

By cultivating this security-minded culture, airports can leverage the observational skills and local knowledge of thousands of employees to complement technological security measures.

The Future of Airport Security: Anticipating New Threats

The LAX dry ice bomb incidents serve as a reminder that airport security must continually evolve to address both known and emerging threats. As technology advances and global geopolitical situations shift, new challenges to aviation security will inevitably arise.

What potential future threats are security experts considering?

Some areas of concern for future airport security include:

• Cyber attacks on critical airport infrastructure or aircraft systems
• Use of drones for surveillance or attacks on airports or aircraft
• Exploitation of new technologies like 3D printing to create undetectable weapons
• Insider threats leveraging advanced hacking skills or social engineering
• Potential use of biological or chemical agents in attacks

Addressing these potential future threats requires a proactive approach to security planning, investment in research and development, and continued collaboration between governments, airports, airlines, and technology providers.

The 2013 LAX dry ice bomb incidents, while relatively minor in their immediate impact, served as a catalyst for reassessing and enhancing airport security measures worldwide. They highlighted the complex challenges faced by modern airports in balancing safety, efficiency, and the ever-evolving nature of security threats. As the aviation industry continues to grow and evolve, the lessons learned from these events will contribute to the ongoing effort to create safer, more secure air travel for passengers and airport employees alike.

Explosions at LAX: Police ramp up security where dry ice bombs planted

Los Angeles International Airport police said Tuesday they were increasing security after a second dry ice bomb exploded and two others were found in a restricted area of the airport.

“The focus is definitely in the restricted area, not in the areas where passengers have access,” said Sgt. Karla Ortiz. “We want to make sure that that get’s tightened up.”

Police officials say there appears to be “no nexus” between terrorism and the four bombs discovered over the last two days at LAX.

No one was injured in the explosions — one Sunday night in an employee bathroom, one Monday night on the airfield near the planes. Two dry ice bombs that didn’t explode also were found. The incidents are being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s criminal conspiracy division, Ortiz said.

The latest explosion occurred about 8:30 p.m. Monday near the gate area of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, law enforcement authorities said.

The devices — bottles with dry ice inside — appeared to be outside the terminal near planes where employees such as baggage handlers and others work on the aircraft and its cargo.

Airport officials will remind employees that “if you see something, say something,” Ortiz said.

“We can’t be everywhere all the time so we depend on them,” she said.

The FBI was assisting the LAPD in the investigation into how the devices were placed in restricted areas at LAX.

There was minimal disruption of airport activities on Monday night, but the explosion on Sunday suspended operations in Terminal 2, and flights were delayed until about 8:45 p.m. as the LAPD bomb squad responded. Police estimated that about four flights were affected.

Passenger Feliciano Jiron told KCBS-TV on Monday before the second explosion that he was concerned that a dry ice bomb could be set at the airport, given all of LAX’s security measures.

“Given the times we live in, it’s a bit interesting that something like this would happen, even with all the security and all the efforts that people are putting forward,” he said as he and his family arrived to catch a flight to New Mexico.

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‘Dry ice’ restroom explosion halts flights at LAX; FBI investigating

An apparent dry ice bomb explosion in a Los Angeles International Airport employee restroom caused flights to be halted from one terminal for several hours Sunday night, officials said. 

There were no injuries or damage in the blast, which happened at about 9.30 p.m. local time (6.30 p.m. ET) near Terminal 2, Gate 27.

“In a restricted area of the terminal (not accessible to the general public), responders found evidence of a plastic bottle containing dry ice,” FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said in a written statement. “A chemical reaction caused the explosion.”

The Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad attended the scene.

Multiple law enforcement sources told NBC news the incident appeared to be a prank, but stressed the investigation was in its early stages.

They say a Swissport employee heard a loud explosion, walked to a men’s bathroom and saw an exploded 20oz plastic bottle. 

The Transportation Security Agency halted the screening of passengers at the terminal for several hours, the FBI said, delaying departing flights. It has since fully reopened.

Three arriving flights were also affected by the suspension, which halted the transfer of baggage, according to LAX spokeswoman Nancy Castles.

“The FBI and partners with LAPD, LAX PD, LA Fire, CBP, TSA and other officials will investigate the incident to determine the individual or group responsible,” Eimiller said.

The incident bears some similarities to the commotion caused by a dry ice bomb left in a trash can at Disneyland’s Toon Town earlier this year, Brandon Lowrey of NBCLosAngeles.com reported. In that case, part of the park was evacuated. No injuries were reported and a Disneyland employee was arrested for allegedly placing the object.

NBC News’ Alastair Jamieson contributed to this report.

Andrew Blankstein, Richard Esposito and Jonathan Dienst, NBC News

Baggage Handler Arrested in LAX Dry Ice Explosions – NBC Los Angeles

A 28-year-old baggage handler who works at Los Angeles International Airport was arrested Tuesday  in connection with dry ice explosions that prompted emergency responses at LAX for two nights in a row.

Dicarlo Bennett, a 28-year-old Servisair baggage handler from Paramount, Calif., — about 15 miles east of the airport — was arrested at about 7 p.m. PT Tuesday at his apartment on suspicion of exploding a destructive device near an aircraft. His bail was set at $1 million.

Details regarding a court date and when charges will be filed were not immediately available.

An official told the AP that Bennett allegedly took the dry ice from a plane and placed it in an employee restroom Sunday night and another device that was found on a tarmac outside the international terminal.

Police had previously said they didn’t believe the explosions were an act of terror but could be the work of a disgruntled employee.

No one was injured in either incident.Three dry ice bombs were found on the tarmac outside of Los Angeles International Airport Monday night, prompting a bomb squad response as the FBI probed an explosion by the same type of bomb at LAX just one night earlier.

A bomb – a relatively harmless and simple device made of a plastic bottle and dry ice – went off about 8:30 p.m., said LAPD Detective Gus Villanueva. No injuries were immediately reported. Though harmless from afar, someone could get hurt if they were close enough, airport officials said.

Officials confirmed a suspicious item drew emergency crews to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Three dry ice bombs were found outside the terminal on the tarmac — a location only accessible to badge-carrying employees with authority and clearance to work in the area.

Initial reports indicated one of the bombs was found under a plane, but airport police said that was not the case. One airplane was evacuated – but only a cleaning crew was on board.

The items were discovered near a gate shared by several airlines.

Flights did not appear to be affected Monday.

Servisair released a statement Wednesday: “We are aware of the arrest of Dicarlo Bennett as a suspect in the recent incidents at LAX. All we can confirm at this point is that he was an employee of Servisair at the time of incident. We’re cooperating with authorities and will continue to monitor the situation closely. It is important at this early stage to allow law enforcement to continue their investigation and we have no further comment at this time.”

Monday’s incident follows a similar one on Sunday night, when, at 7 p.m., a dry ice bomb went off in an empty bathroom in a restricted area. No injuries were reported, but several flights were delayed for hours Sunday night.

Police did not immediately discuss possible motives, but the former chief of Homeland Security for airport police told NBC4 before the arrest that a likely objective was disruption of airport operations.

“The motivation certainly does not suggest terrorism,” said Erroll Southers, now an adjunct professor of Homeland Security and Public Policy at the University of Southern California. “It does suggest, at least, vandalism — trying to disrupt the airport, trying to get someone’s attention, which they did.”

In May, a dry ice bomb exploded in a trash can in Disneyland’s Toontown area. No one was hurt, but part of the park was evacuated and a Disneyland employee was later arrested on suspicion of placing the device.

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Dicarlo Bennett Claims Dry Ice Explosions at LAX was a Joke — Security Today

Dicarlo Bennett Claims Dry Ice Explosions at LAX was a Joke

• By Ginger Hill
• Oct 17, 2013

Make no mistake, explosions of any kind near or on a tarmac or near or inside a terminal is never a game or a joke as Dicarlo Bennett has found out. The 28-year-old baggage handler, who passed federal background checks necessary to receive a security badge to access restricted areas, was arrested after he originated dry ice explosions at LAX airport telling police that the bombs were “a game” and “a funny kind of joke.”

“This guy was playing around. It was kind of a game to him. He though it was funny. He had no intent to attack innocent victims. There was no political motive or agenda,” reassured Deputy Chief Michael Downing, Los Angeles police.

A plastic bottle packed with dry ice exploded in an employee bathroom, another blew up on the tarmac and a third plastic bottle was found expanding on the tarmac near the previous explosion.

Fortunately, there were no injuries due to the explosions, but they did cause eyebrows to rise about the airport’s security and their ability to deal with vulnerabilities.

According to police, Bennett used discarded dry ice that was used to maintain food being loaded onto a plane. The airport has changed this procedure, and employees are required to return dry ice to the warehouse after usage.

Bennett is currently being held on a $1 million bail, facing a charge of possession of an explosive or destructive device near an aircraft.

Not sure about you, but I have never seen, much less heard of, a dry ice bomb, so curiously I searched for a video as a demonstration of what Bennett did at LAX. (Be sure to turn up your volume to hear the explosion.)

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/16/travel/los-angeles-airport-dry-ice-arrest/

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/crime/article/LAX-officials-eye-security-after-dry-ice-bombs-4899332.php

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Behind Deadly Tianjin Blast, Shortcuts and Lax Rules

There were also unspecified amounts of calcium carbide, a highly flammable chemical used in welding; sodium hydrosulfide, an extremely toxic compound used in mining that can turn into a volatile gas when heated; and toluene diisocyanate, a compound used to make plastics that explodes when exposed to heat.

A year earlier, the stockpile was even larger. According to a routine safety inspection in June 2014, there were 4,261 tons of hazardous chemicals at Rui Hai.

Experts say storing such large quantities of chemicals at one site is dangerous, because it heightens the risk of an explosive reaction and can exacerbate the damage caused by fire. “It’s an incredible amount,” said Neal Langerman, a chemical safety consultant in San Diego. “If you’re going to have large quantities, you really have to do it right. If you do it right, it costs you money.”

Chinese regulations require that hazardous chemicals be kept in well-ventilated areas, far from sunlight, power cords and other heat sources. But Rui Hai’s warehouses were known for shoddy construction and outdated equipment, people involved in shipping chemicals from the warehouse said.

Chemicals are also supposed to be stored separately and at safe distances to reduce the risk of reactions. But Rui Hai often crammed containers full of different dangerous chemicals next to each other, former clients said.

Hu Jianzhong, a manager at a Tianjin logistics firm, said Rui Hai packed the containers together because the authorities had not allowed warehouses to devote more space to hazardous materials, even as the volume of chemicals going through the port increased in recent years. The safety assessment conducted by the private company before Rui Hai obtained its license noted that containers were stacked three high when two should be the limit.

Rui Hai was not the only facility with problems. A survey conducted in 2010 by the Ministry of Environmental Protection found that half of China’s oil processing, coking, chemical and pharmaceutical plants were located within less than a mile of sites like schools and residential areas, in violation of regulations. And many Chinese chemical firms have cut back on safety training and ignore guidelines on storage to save on warehouse space, said Paul Pang, vice president of IHS Chemical, a research firm in Shanghai.

The government says it has contained the fallout from chemicals at the blast site, but residents in Tianjin remain worried about the long-term effects of the toxins scattered in the explosion. “It might take decades for them to figure out the impact of so many chemicals in the air and water,” said Zhang Yangyang, 29, a lawyer wearing a respirator who emerged from her home lugging a bag of possessions. “This is not a risk I’m willing to take.”

Dry-ice bombs: New details emerge in LAX explosion scare

This post has been updated. See below for details.

Los Angeles police released new details Tuesday about several dry-ice bombs found at Los Angeles International Airport in recent days, and clarified that although one was found Monday night, it did not explode.

LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing, who oversees the counterterrorism unit, said a total of three bombs were found Sunday and Monday — two in the aircraft area at Tom Bradley International terminal and one in an employee bathroom in Terminal 2.

On Sunday, a dry-ice bomb exploded in the bathroom, Downing said. Then on Monday night, an airport worker found a second dry-ice bomb near Gate 148.

“The device had not detonated,” Downing said.

The employee who found the dry-ice device told investigators that he found a similar bomb on Sunday, but tossed it away as garbage.

Authorities initally reported that there was an explosion Monday evening. Downing said the confusion stemmed from the employee’s statements about the two separate incidents.

[Updated at 3:15 p.m. Oct. 15: Downing’s accounting of the number of bombs differs with the total provided the LAPD at a news conference later in the day. The department said four dry-ice bombs have been found.] 

It is too early to ascribe a motive for the incidents, Downing said.

Investigators are considering everything from someone seeking to disrupt the airport to a prankster.

No one was injured in the explosions.

The latest device was discovered about 8:30 p.m. Monday near the gate area of the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The device — a bottle with dry ice inside — was in an area where employees such as baggage handlers, food loaders and others work on the aircraft and its cargo.

Cmdr. Andrew Smith said investigators are asking the public and airport employees to report anything they know about these devices or of they see anything suspicious.

Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokeswoman, said the agency is assisting the LAPD in the investigation into how the devices were placed in restricted areas at LAX.

Police at LAX said they planned to beef up security.

“The focus is definitely in the restricted area, not in the areas where passengers have access,” said airport police Sgt. Karla Ortiz. “We want to make sure that that gets tightened up.”

Police officials say there appears to be “no nexus” between terrorism and the bombs discovered over the last two days at LAX.

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Lawsuit Links Fatal Lake City Munitions Plant Explosion To Lax Government Oversight | KCUR 89.3

Negligence and lax government oversight led to a fatal explosion at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, according to a $20 million wrongful death lawsuit filed this month by the family of the worker killed in the blast.

Lawrence Bass Jr., 55, was killed, and four other workers were injured, when an explosive material called tetrazene exploded on April 11, 2017.

The Lake City facility, which sits on nearly 4,000 acres in Independence, Missouri, is the military’s primary provider of small-caliber ammunition. The government-owned plant produces up to two billion rounds of ammunition per year.

Almost all of the plant’s 2,000 workers are civilian employees of the defense contractor that operates the facility. Orbital ATK managed the Lake City facility at the time of the explosion, but Northrop Grumman took over operations after purchasing Orbital ATK in 2018.

An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was unable to pinpoint the cause of the blast.

While it’s possible static electricity ignited the tetrazene, investigators found it more likely that friction or impact caused the accidental explosion, according to ATF records obtained by KCUR.

Tetrazene at that stage of the manufacturing process has a consistency similar to cake batter or silly putty. Tetrazene that is too wet cannot be used in ammunition. But if the material is too dry it becomes unstable, and more susceptible to explosion.

Video surveillance of the explosion “did not reveal any abnormal behavior or movements by Bass” in the moments before the explosion, investigators wrote.

Bass was using a spatula to remove a recently-dried batch of tetrazene from a metal container. The method he used, called “wedging” by Bass and other workers, has long been in place at the plant.

ATF investigators noted, however, that such a method was not outlined in Orbital ATK’s standard operating procedure (SOP). KCUR previously reported that the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) fined Orbital ATK more than $100,000 for inadequate SOPs and other problems uncovered in the wake of the blast.

‘Unnecessary explosion’

The lawsuit, filed filed in federal court by Bass’s children, alleges the Army should have known about the discrepancy between the SOP and what workers were actually doing.

The Army “is responsible for auditing compliance with safety policies and safety procedures,” according to the lawsuit.

“Army personnel do not maintain appropriate records of their oversight,” the lawsuit claims, and “do not conduct safety reviews as required by the regulations.”

Had the Army “carried these inspections out and done so in a non-negligent manner, the use of (the wedging method)… would have been identified and terminated before any explosion took place,” the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit also states that Orbital ATK’s ongoing financial problems may have endangered workers at the Lake City Plant.

The company has said it expects to lose nearly $375 million on its current seven-year contract to run the facility.

Orbital ATK has also agreed to pay $108 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by shareholders who alleged the company misled investors about the profitability of its Lake City contract.

Workers at the facility suffered injuries at a rate 3.5 times higher than their industry peers during the five years before the explosion, according to records obtained by KCUR.

The Army “knew or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known that Orbital ATK… was negligent, incompetent, under extreme cost pressure, and otherwise motivated to cut costs at the expense of safety,” the Bass family’s lawsuit states.

Bass’s children filed the lawsuit because they want to do “whatever they can to ensure the government takes steps to implement safety protocol at (the Lake City facility),” attorney Michelle Marvel told KCUR on behalf of the family.

“They want the responsible parties held accountable for the unnecessary explosion and death of Lawrence Bass.”

Chris Haxel is a reporter for KCUR 89.3. Email him at [email protected], and follow him on Twitter @ChrisHaxel. 

90,000 In Kazan, the car of the Mufti of Tatarstan was blown up and his deputy was shot

In Kazan, on Thursday at 11.00, the official car of the Mufti of Tatarstan Ildus Fayzov was blown up, sources in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the republic told Interfax. They stressed that it is too early to conclude that the explosion was the result of a terrorist attack. Faizov was injured. An hour before that, the deputy mufti of Tatarstan, Valiulla Yakupov, was shot dead near his own house, and he died on the spot from his wounds.

The chief of staff of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Tatarstan Rishat Khamidullin confirmed that the mufti was wounded, the head of the educational department of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the region Valiulla Yakupov was killed.”According to preliminary data, the mufti’s car was blown up about an hour ago at the intersection of Musin and Chetaev streets,” Khamidullin said. On the fact of the death of Yakupov, a case was initiated under the article “Murder”, according to the website of the TFR. Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said the attacks could be linked to the professional activities of the mufti and his deputy.

The most important religious and government facilities of Tatarstan have been taken under increased police control, according to the press center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the republic.In Kazan, the Vulcan-4 plan was put into effect to search for especially dangerous armed criminals with the involvement of the entire personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tatarstan. All exits from the city are blocked. The police are interviewing residents of nearby houses, looking for witnesses and eyewitnesses to crimes. The investigation involves the operational services of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB and the TFR of the republic. The police are looking for the suspect by signs: age 30-35, height 176 cm, was wearing a shirt with short sleeves. Silver VAZ 2114, 2115, 2109 and 21099 were also put on the wanted list.

Mufti of Tatarstan Ildus Faizov was taken to the 15th city hospital, then he was transferred to the RCH. Doctors assess his condition as stable. He was then operated on for a fractured ankle. The victim was visited by the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov in the hospital. According to Ildus Fayzov, the explosion occurred in the car while he was driving. “I already knew about the attempt on Valiulla Yakupov and, stopping at a traffic light, decided to call,” the mufti said. – I just felt the first weak explosion in the front of the car and immediately jumped out of the car – it’s good that I wasn’t wearing my seatbelt.According to preliminary data from the TFR, there were only three explosions. One of the bombs could have been attached to the underside of the car.

On the same day it became known that the anti-terrorist exercises in Kazan, which were scheduled for the week from 20 to 27 July, had been canceled. The exercises were planned on the eve of the Universiade. According to legend, the security forces had to find and detain saboteurs who were going to infiltrate the sports complexes of the Universiade, transport facilities (airports, train stations, etc.), cinemas, other places of mass presence of the population to simulate their mining with dummy explosive devices, the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tatarstan reported …The exercise was supposed to involve the population: “saboteurs” were to ask local residents to help them, and from the population, trade workers and pharmacists were expected to be vigilant and report to the police. For information about suspicious strangers, the police promised a monetary reward.

Ildus Faizov became the mufti of Tatarstan in April 2011, he replaced Gusman Iskhakov, who worked in this position for 13 years. According to the official version, Iskhakov resigned for health reasons.

According to an unofficial version, his resignation took place under pressure from the republican authorities due to the fact that under Iskhakov, the influence of radical Muslims, primarily Salafis, increased in Tatarstan. This was confirmed by the events in the Nurlat district, where on November 25, 2010, during a special operation of the security forces, three armed residents of the republic were killed – they were declared militants of the banned organization Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami. The Aktanysh, Alekseevsky, Yelabuzhsky, Menzelinsky and Chistopolsky districts were called the most “problem areas”, and the cities of Almetyevsk and Nizhnekamsk in the SAM were considered “the first and second capitals of Tatarstan Wahhabism.”

The attempted assassination of the mufti in Kazan was qualified as a terrorist act

July 19, 2012

Mufti of Tatarstan: escaped because he was not fastened

Photo author, Tatarstan Government

Photo caption,

more than a year ago

The investigation additionally qualified the attempted murder of the Mufti of Tatarstan as a terrorist act, said the official representative of the Investigative Committee of Russia Vladimir Markin.

Earlier, cases were initiated on the facts of the murder of the deputy mufti of Tatarstan and the attempted murder of the mufti of the republic under the articles “murder” and “attempted murder” – they were combined into one proceeding.

The attacks took place almost simultaneously in different parts of the city. The investigation of high-profile crimes was taken under personal control by the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tatarstan Artem Khokhorin.

Yakupov’s body was found in his car near his house, but the attack on him, investigators assume, was committed at the entrance.

The car of the Mufti of Tatarstan Ildus Fayzov was blown up while the Mufti was driving. According to the Investigative Committee, the bomb was attached to the underside of the car under the driver’s seat.

A blast wave of 49-year-old Faizov was thrown out of a car. The injuries received by the mufti do not threaten his life, but he received a fracture of both legs.

On Thursday, President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov visited the Republican Clinical Hospital in Kazan, where the victim is located.

“I already knew about the assassination attempt on Valiulla Yakupov, and stopping at a traffic light, I decided to call,” Faizov told the president.

According to one of the main versions of the investigation, the double attack is connected with the professional activities of spiritual leaders, who are known in the republic as opponents of extremism.

The head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, in an interview with Russia’s First Channel, also said that the attempted assassinations were related to the professional activities of the leadership of the spiritual administration of Muslims of Tatarstan and called the incident “a clear challenge.”

“The leaders of our SAM carried out a policy of traditional Islam. It is clear that there are other trends, and what happened today is a clear challenge. More specifically, the details will be established by law enforcement agencies, but I believe that the attempts are related to professional activities,” Minnikhanov quotes him press service.

“Our position should be tougher … Traditional Islam never allowed such things, especially since there was an encroachment on the lives of people who themselves serve Islam,” Minnikhanov added.

According to RIA Novosti, 48-year-old Yakupov, having received several bullet wounds, was able to walk to his car, where he died.

“The shots were fired at the entrance of the house. Six cartridges were found at the crime scene,” said Eduard Abdulin, senior assistant to the head of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Tatarstan.

As the official representative of the Investigative Committee of Russia Vladimir Markin told reporters, an explosive device was attached to the bottom of the car under the driver’s seat.In total, the car was shaken by three explosions; the mufti himself was driving at that time.

Photo author, Tatarstan Interior Ministry

Photo caption,

According to the ICR, the car of the Mufti of Tatarstan was rocked by three explosions.

Both religious leaders were well-known opponents of extremism in the republic.

According to the representative of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia Albir Krganov, both were supporters of traditional Islam and “fought against radicalism and extremism.”

Ildus Faizov took the post of mufti of the republic a little over a year ago.

Prior to that, he served for a long time in the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Tatarstan, and in the 90s was an actor in the Kazan Drama Theater named after I. K. Tinchurin.

Albir Krganov called on believers not to succumb to provocation and called on Muslims of Tatarstan to calm down.

“I call on all believers to calm down. These nonhumans are trying to destroy our stability, our calmness, do not succumb to their provocations.We all condemn this act and want to convey our condolences to the people of Kazan and the relatives of the deceased Valiulla Yakupov, “- RIA Novosti Krganov told RIA Novosti.

All religious objects in Tatarstan are guarded in a special regime.

All the operational services of the republic are at the scene.

A North Caucasian scenario is developing in the Volga region?

Photo author, RIA Novosti

Photo caption,

Experts consider professional activities to be the main version of the attempt on Faizov

The Council of Muftis of Russia, on behalf of Mufti Ravil Gainutdin, sent its representative to Kazan, who will provide assistance and assistance to the staff of the spiritual department, as well as monitor the progress of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, in an interview with the Russian First Channel, also said that the assassination attempts were related to the professional activities of the leadership of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Tatarstan and called the incident “a clear challenge.”

Experts interviewed by the BBC have a similar opinion.

Unfortunately, today someone is trying to destabilize the situation by driving a wedge between the ministers of traditional religions. Someone is trying to undermine the situation by attacking religious leaders, despite attempts to preserve peace and harmony in the republics of the North Caucasus.

It is necessary to make every effort to prevent destabilization of the situation in the central regions of the country. We saw something similar today in Tatarstan, there were some attempts in Bashkortstan, but there have not yet been attacks on religious leaders.

It’s hard to say who is behind this, this is the business of the investigators.

Today there is a propaganda of the wrong perception of Islam, when they try to link it with radicalism, extremism, terrorism and so on. That is, there is a special action in order to play off representatives of different peoples, religions with each other, because when we know little about each other, a kind of phobia is created.

Although we quietly live on the same staircase, in Soviet times we lived in the same communal apartments, today they are afraid to intimidate us with each other, to deprive us of our unity, the fact that we are a multi-religious, multi-ethnic country.

Our task for both religious leaders and civil servants is to give a reverent attitude to learning the culture and customs of each other, so that we cannot be persecuted and turned against each other.

According to the Qur’an, if a person killed an innocent person, his sin is equated as if he killed all of humanity.Accordingly, if a person raises his hand to a priest who calls for goodness and peace, this sin can increase significantly.

The attack on spiritual leaders is most likely caused by their beliefs and the policies they pursued, a policy aimed at permanently freeing the territory of Tatarstan from radical forms of Islam of foreign origin.

Both have been actively involved in this for the last year and a half, and the murdered Valiulla Yakupov has been dealing with this problem for more than 20 years.He sounded the alarm on this situation, but the authorities treated this with restraint, believed that they were in control of the situation. However, experience shows that there was no control, and what happened happened.

We see that the North Caucasian scenario of events is developing in its pure form in the Volga region. Just as traditionalist imams were shot in Dagestan or Ingushetia ten years ago, the same is happening now in Tatarstan.

Now fear reigns in the Muslim environment, especially since the crime was committed on the eve of Ramadan, one of the pillars of Islam, which was actually desecrated by the shed blood.However, these people can go from intimidation to dictating their terms to the state in order to have access to financial and administrative resources, to power.

Unfortunately, the state has recently lost control of this situation. Both the mufti Ildus Faizov and his deputy regularly received threats. However, they did not pay attention to them, as often these threats came through social networks.

A generation has now grown up of those who were raised by foreign missionaries of radical Islam in the 1990s.Now these people are determined to take decisive action. A year later, the Universiade will take place here, but we see that the situation is not changing for the better. In November 2010, in the south of the republic, a whole underground of fundamentalist militants was discovered in the forest, and in January this year, 19 kilometers from Kazan, a bomb-making laboratory was discovered in a private house.

The perpetrators of the crime were most likely local, but the influence of the North Caucasus was not without. The mufti’s policies irritated the Wahhabis and the semi-Wahhabite clergy most of all.

The spiritual activity of the mufti remains the priority version of the reason for the murder, but it is too early to draw any conclusions. We do not even know yet what type of explosive device was used and what was its strength in TNT equivalent. Six cartridges from a Makarov pistol were found at the crime scene.

The entire police force of the republic was transferred to an enhanced version of service. All especially important objects were taken under protection, as well as objects belonging to the spiritual administration of Muslims, primarily the mosque.

An operational headquarters has been deployed on the basis of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in which all operational services of the republic are involved, all messages are processed and the coordination of forces is carried out.

The Minister of Internal Affairs of the republic took personal control of a number of measures to search for criminals. Railway stations, airports and roads in the region are under increased control.

Gas leaks – Päästeamet

Instructions on how to deal with a gas leak.

Household gas risks

Household gas is used in many homes in Estonia.Gas is used for cooking, for heating water, for heating houses. The widespread use of gas is due to its relative cheapness compared to electricity. However, using gas appliances is much more inconvenient and even more dangerous. The gas is highly flammable and explosive and may cause asphyxiation if leaked. There are strict requirements for the installation of gas appliances, and non-observance is primarily dangerous for the user.

We use two different types of gas as domestic gas – natural gas and liquefied gas.

What is natural gas?

Natural gas comes to Estonia from Russia via long pipelines and is distributed here among different users. Liquefied gas is collected in tanks and distributed using cylinders, or underground gas tanks are installed in large residential areas, from which gas is distributed further through pipelines. Thus, you should be aware that the domestic gas in the cylinders is liquefied gas, and the gas coming from the pipes, depending on the region, may be both liquefied and natural.

The main component of natural gas is methane – a colorless, odorless gas, extremely flammable: it can ignite from flames, sparks, heat. A gas explosion is possible in the open air, indoors, in the sewerage system, etc. An explosion can occur if the room is filled with gas in the amount of 5-15% and it ignites.

Natural gas is lighter than air, which means that when it leaks, it mixes with air and begins to rise higher, but it must always be borne in mind that air currents accompanying ventilation or air exchange can carry gas away also in the lateral direction.This means that, as a rule, in the event of a leak, apartments and other things that are located above are at risk, but gas can also move to adjacent rooms.

Natural gas has a predominantly suffocating effect on people. In terms of toxicity, it is not very dangerous – it has a mild narcotic effect. When about 10% of the space is filled with gas, it causes drowsiness, headaches and malaise are also possible. When the amount of gas increases to 20-30%, it leads to a dangerous oxygen deficiency, which can cause suffocation.

What is LPG?

The main component of LPG is propane. Like methane, propane is a colorless, odorless gas that is extremely flammable and explosive. Propane is explosive when 2-11% of the space is filled with gas. Sparks, even those caused by static electricity, can cause an explosion. Propane has no immediate toxicity, but when it gets into the air in large quantities, it can cause suffocation due to a decrease in the oxygen content.If inhaled, it can cause drowsiness, nausea, feeling unwell, headache, and weakness.

Propane is heavier than air, and therefore, when it leaks, gas tends to low places – to the floor of a room, to hollows, basements, sewer wells, etc. Therefore, in the event of a leak, it is mainly the basements located below the apartment that are dangerous.

In order for a person to understand that there is a gas leak, a small amount of odorous substances is added to the gases used in everyday life. Odorous substances give the gas a characteristic odor.If the gas leaks from the underground gas pipeline and rises to the surface through the ground, then the odorants are filtered and the characteristic odor is lost, therefore, the gas content in the air can only be detected using a gas analyzer.

It is characteristic of a gas explosion that at the moment of the explosion the fire that caused the explosion also goes out. This means that there is usually no fire after a gas explosion. This happens for two reasons: first, the explosion occurs in a very short time. During this time, other objects in the room do not have time to catch fire, and the ignited gas immediately extinguishes itself.Secondly, the explosion in the room creates such a high pressure that it extinguishes the flame. The resulting pressure is large enough to destroy the weakest structures, and gases are ejected outward.

To reduce the effects of an explosion, doors, windows and hatches in gas installations are installed so that they open outward and thus release explosive gases. In addition, the ceilings are made of lightweight panels and increase the size of the glazed surfaces. If the same conditions are met in other rooms or buildings where gas is used, the destruction caused by the explosion will be small.If there is a gas leak in the room, but there is no contact with the ignition source, then at some point a saturated mixture is formed (too much gas and too little oxygen), which is no longer flammable.

Emergency situations

Possible emergencies and accidents on gas pipelines:

• gas leaks in buildings
• mechanical damage to the gas pipeline
• gas supply interruption
• gas leaks outside buildings
• 9018 sudden changes in gas pressure
• uncontrolled gas ignition
• explosion in buildings connected to the gas network
• fire in or around the protective zone of the gas pipeline

ACTIONS IN THE EVENT OF A GAS EMERGENCY

when using gas appliances.

The most common cause of a gas accident is a leak. It can be caused by:

• improper installation of equipment
• errors in operation
• carelessness, etc.

A gas leak in itself is not yet a disaster, this is called an emergency situation that can lead to an accident if further actions will be wrong.

When buying a bottle of liquefied gas (PROPAAN), make sure that the company selling the gas provides a prompt service in the event of a gas accident.

Find the contact details of the natural gas (methane) supplier / handler (eg information number in case of an emergency) and make sure specialists are available when needed.

Instruct family members (especially children) on how to behave in the event of a gas accident.

DURING A GAS ALARM

Gas leak detection

Basic rules for gas leak detection:

• If possible, close the gas supply
• Ventilate the premises by opening windows and doors
• Do not use electricity or open fire in the room
• move out of the danger zone
• inform other people and the alarm center about the danger
• if possible, turn off the electricity in the danger area

Shutting off the gas supply

Shutting off the gas supply depends on where the leak occurs.If the cause of the leak is an open tap at the stove, then this is the easiest situation.

After extinguishing the fire on the gas stove, all gas screens must be closed immediately. If, however, the pipeline is damaged, then it is necessary to close the valve through which the gas enters this pipeline.

In the case of gas cylinders, it is clear that if gas leaks somewhere, the cylinder must be closed quickly. If the cylinder is damaged, you must immediately call the company where the cylinder was purchased, or inform the alarm center about the danger.

Ventilation of rooms

Rooms must be ventilated quickly to prevent the formation of an explosive gas mixture. Opening windows and doors will help reduce damage if an explosion does occur. To ensure that the danger is sure to pass, ventilation should be carried out for at least 30 minutes. This should ensure that the air is clean, provided that no more gas is supplied.

Sparks and electricity

Any ignition source – open flame, electric spark, etc.- can ignite the gas in the room and, depending on the gas concentration, cause an explosion. To prevent the occurrence of electrical sparks, after detecting a hazard, do not turn on or off any electrical device or pull out the plug from the socket.

It is known that every on / off switch generates small sparks in this place. Even if a light is on in a gas-filled room, it is safer to leave it on than to turn it off, as the shutdown can generate sparks.Most often, such situations occur in the kitchen, because the gas stoves are located there. From an electrical point of view, a refrigerator is a very dangerous device, since it automatically turns on and off the compressor at regular intervals. This is also accompanied by a dangerous spark. Therefore, it is safest to turn off the electricity in the entire danger zone – in the entire apartment, house, etc.

ATTENTION! Disconnecting the power supply can only be done in a place where there is no smell of gas, such as in a stairwell, in another room.

Leave the danger area

Immediately inform other people in the vicinity of the danger and leave the danger area. As soon as possible, you need to inform the alarm center by calling the emergency number 112.

Stairs and basement

If the smell of gas appears on the staircase of the house, open the staircase window and the entrance door to ventilate it, if possible. If gas enters the staircase from the basement, then under no circumstances should the basement be ventilated through the staircase (danger to residents).

It is forbidden to go to the basement!

Open the outer basement door and exit the danger area.

If by shutting off the gas supply and ventilating the premises it is not possible to reduce the gas concentration in the premises, they begin to evacuate people from the house. Everyone should be informed that the use of open flames, smoking and switching on and off electrical equipment is prohibited.

If the leak is not found or it takes a long time to fix it, specialists will shut off the gas pipeline for the entire house.The smell of gas can also enter the basement from a damaged underground gas pipeline.

Gas leak outside the building

If gas smell is detected outside buildings, it may come from an underground gas leak. In this case, buildings located within a radius of 50 m from the leak are at risk. Gas enters them through basements.

It is necessary to take all measures (stop movement, evacuate people, ventilate the premises) to prevent explosions, suffocation and other accidents.From the damaged gas pipe, the gas is absorbed into the soil and rises to the dense surface of the street or road.

In winter, gas rises to a layer of frozen ground and can sometimes spread along the sandy base of the road quite far.

If the smell of gas is felt in many apartments of houses in a part of the city, this indicates a real danger that the gas pressure in this part of the city has exceeded the permissible limit. An increase in gas pressure could lead to breakdowns of consumer gas meters and leaks in pipelines or equipment.Everyone should be advised to close taps in front of equipment and meters, ventilate rooms and wait for specialists to arrive.

Inform the alarm center

When informing the alarm center, the following should be reported by answering the questions:

• what happened (general nature and signs of the accident – smell, visible damage, fire, etc.)
• place where it happened accident or where the smell of gas is detected (is this place in the room, on the stairs, in the basement, outside the buildings?)
• taps near the accident site where the pipeline leading to the leak can be closed (is the gas supply shut off?)
• electrical equipment connected to the mains in the room (is there electricity in the room?)
• open flame nearby (candles, fireplace, stove, etc.)
• time when the accident was detected
• people, neighboring buildings or other objects at risk
• your name and contact details

AFTER A GAS ACCIDENT

Don’t forget to help your neighbors and other people who may need special care and assistance – for people with disabilities, the elderly and other people with disabilities.

After people have been removed from the gas-filled environment, first aid should be given and an ambulance should be called.

Do not turn on the power until you are sure that the smell of gas has completely disappeared and that all rooms and closets are properly ventilated.

Inform the gas company about leaking gas appliances or cylinders.

Before using the equipment associated with a gas leak, specialists must always check the gas equipment or gas cylinders or, if necessary, replace them.

What is LPG? – Gas leaks

The main component of LPG is propane.Like methane, propane is a colorless, odorless gas that is extremely flammable and explosive. Propane is explosive when 2-11% of the space is filled with gas. Sparks, even those caused by static electricity, can cause an explosion. Propane has no immediate toxicity, but when it gets into the air in large quantities, it can cause suffocation due to a decrease in the oxygen content. If inhaled, it can cause drowsiness, nausea, feeling unwell, headache, and weakness.

Propane is heavier than air, and therefore, when it leaks, gas tends to low places – to the floor of a room, to hollows, basements, sewer wells, etc. Therefore, in the event of a leak, it is mainly the basements located below the apartment that are dangerous.

In order for a person to understand that there is a gas leak, a small amount of odorous substances is added to the gases used in everyday life. Odorous substances give the gas a characteristic odor. If the gas leaks from the underground gas pipeline and rises to the surface through the ground, then the odorants are filtered and the characteristic odor is lost, therefore, the gas content in the air can only be detected using a gas analyzer.

It is characteristic of a gas explosion that at the moment of the explosion the fire that caused the explosion also goes out. This means that there is usually no fire after a gas explosion. This happens for two reasons: first, the explosion occurs in a very short time. During this time, other objects in the room do not have time to catch fire, and the ignited gas immediately extinguishes itself. Secondly, the explosion in the room creates such a high pressure that it extinguishes the flame. The resulting pressure is large enough to destroy the weakest structures, and gases are ejected outward.

To reduce the effects of an explosion, doors, windows and hatches in gas installations are installed so that they open outward and thus release explosive gases. In addition, the ceilings are made of lightweight panels and increase the size of the glazed surfaces. If the same conditions are met in other rooms or buildings where gas is used, the destruction caused by the explosion will be small. If there is a gas leak in the room, but there is no contact with the ignition source, then at some point a saturated mixture is formed (too much gas and too little oxygen), which is no longer flammable.

The greatest explosion in the observable Universe – Science – Kommersant

Astronomers have recorded evidence of a cataclysm – the largest explosion in the observed Universe. We are talking about a colossal ejection of matter from the central galaxy of the Ophiuchus cluster 390 million light years from the Sun.

Anatoly Glyantsev

Clusters of galaxies and their stormy life

There are many objects in the Universe that do not fall apart due to the fact that they are bound by their own gravity: planets, stars, galaxies and galaxy clusters.Clusters are made up of thousands of galaxies, surrounding hot gas and a huge cloud of dark matter. The gas is so hot that it emits X-rays. The Ophiuchus Cluster is the second brightest X-ray system of galaxies in the sky.

In 2016, astronomers examined this object using the Chandra X-ray telescope. They were struck by the fact that the cloud of hot gas around the central galaxy of the cluster seemed to be torn off from the southeastern edge.

X-rays from the XMM-Newton telescope are shown in pink, radio waves from the GMRT telescope in blue, and infrared rays from the 2MASS telescope in white.The inset in the lower right corner shows an enlarged X-ray image from the Chandra telescope (also in pink). Bright white dots scattered throughout the image are foreground objects.

Such structures have already been observed several times in different clusters. Usually they are associated with powerful ejections of matter from the central galaxy, from the vicinity of a supermassive black hole.

Black holes and how to escape from them

In the centers of most of the known galaxies there are black holes with a mass of millions and billions of suns.Such an object is surrounded by a huge cloud of matter gradually falling on it. This matter is heated to enormous temperatures and glows brightly in all ranges, from radio waves to gamma radiation. By the glow, predators are usually found.

Black holes are famous as objects from which nothing can escape, but this fame is exaggerated. In fact, there is a well-defined distance of no return, depending on the mass of the black hole. And if astronomers see a cloud of matter around a black hole, then it has not yet crossed the fatal line – otherwise, its radiation would never have reached the telescopes.

Most of this substance will surely gradually fall into a deadly embrace. But violent processes in it sometimes lead to the formation of powerful jets of incandescent gas, beating into the surrounding space, away from the black hole.

The mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not yet fully understood. Such fountains can be permanent or temporary, intense or not very intense. Sometimes we are talking about a short-term astronomical, but very powerful ejection: dense jets burst out of the host galaxy and literally blow out the surrounding hot gas from its vicinity.The symmetry of the gas cloud is broken, and it looks like a bitten apple or a plate with a broken edge.

An attraction of unprecedented power

At first, astronomers assumed that this was exactly what happened in the Ophiuchus cluster, as in many other known galaxy clusters. But they were confused by the numbers.

The hot gas gap is impressive in size. It would fit 15 such objects as the Milky Way – and our star system is quite large even by the standards of galaxies.

According to calculations, such an ejection of matter from the vicinity of the black hole would require 5 × 1061 erg of energy. This is a trillion times the energy release of the Sun in a billion years. This is hundreds and thousands of times more than the typical power of similar cataclysms in other galaxy clusters. This is about five times the previous record set by the cluster MS 0735 + 74. This is generally the most grandiose explosive cataclysm ever discovered by science. According to the authors of the 2016 work, such a catastrophe should have destroyed a cloud of relatively cold gas in the center of the cluster, which in the meantime still exists.

In the end, the experts decided that there was no explosion – but simply the Ophiuchus cluster once swallowed up another cluster of galaxies. It was by an act of cosmic cannibalism that scientists explained the strange shape that the hot gas took.

It couldn’t be, but it was

However, the new scientific work, already accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal, changed everything. She brought back the relevance of a seemingly incredible scenario.

Astronomers have confirmed the asymmetry of the hot gas cloud using independent observations with another X-ray telescope, XMM-Newton.But they didn’t just double-check their colleagues’ observations. They found an important sign indicating that there was indeed a release of matter from the vicinity of the black hole.

The gaps in the hot gas left by such space squalls are not absolute emptiness. They are filled with electrons, accelerated at the time of the cataclysm to almost the speed of light. These particles emit radio waves at low frequencies. A similar picture has been observed many times in galaxy clusters that have experienced ejections of lower power.

Authors scanned the Ophiuchus Cluster with MWA radio telescopes in Australia and GMRT in India. These installations operate exactly at the required wavelengths: from one to four meters. Observers found that the region, which is dark for X-ray telescopes, shines brightly in radio images. According to the figurative expression of the co-author of the new study, Maxim Markevich of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the region of increased radio brightness enters the gap in the X-ray image like a hand in a glove.This is exactly what the proponents of the ejection hypothesis expected to see: a cavity in a hot gas emitting X-rays is filled with electrons emitting radio waves.

It turns out that there really was a cosmic cataclysm. By the way, this phenomenon can be called a fleeting explosion only by the standards of the life cycle of galaxies. According to astronomers’ calculations, jets from the vicinity of the black hole swept gas into space for hundreds of millions of years. During this time, some stars have time to be born, grow old and die.However, our Sun is about five billion years old, and it is going to shine for about the same amount. And galaxies (including ours) arose shortly after the Big Bang, which occurred 13.8 billion years ago.

Why the eruption began in the Ophiuchus Cluster is a mystery. But scientists can imagine why it ended. We can say that this disaster stopped itself. Its colossal energy still did not destroy the central and relatively cool seal in the gas cloud, as the authors of the previous study believed (where they were wrong is a difficult question that still needs to be resolved).But she displaced this dense region relative to the central galaxy. As a result, its black hole was left without matter, feeding the jets beating from its surroundings. Nowadays, the cloud of matter falling on it is rather ordinary by the standards of these supermassive monsters.

90,000 night explosion in Zelenodolsk brought down 7 apartments

Report “BUSINESS Online” from the scene of the emergency: what do the authorities think about the version with suicide?

“Uncle went out into the yard to see what happened.They didn’t let him back, ”relatives of the tenants of the 9-storey building in Zelenodolsk on Lenin Street, where gas exploded on Monday night, told our newspaper. The explosion collapsed 7 apartments. A pensioner died, a woman was taken out from under the ruins, doctors are fighting for her life, and five more people were also injured. The Ministry of Emergency Situations introduced an emergency situation in the Zelenodolsk region. The decision on whether it is possible to move into the affected house will be made today, the head of the district said.

In Zelenodolsk, in a 9-storey residential building on Lenin Street, 39a, a strong explosion thundered
Photo: Evgeny Zhura

“At first my mother heard a clap, then the building shook violently.It scared more “

An elderly woman Raisa was in her home apartment on the evening of March 29, in house 39a on Lenin Street in Zelenodolsk, however, as always: a disabled person cannot walk and has spent most of the last years at home.

“At first, at about 10:45 pm, Mom heard a strong pop. Then the building shook very much. This scared my mother more, ”says Raisa’s daughter, who looks at least 30 years old, to BUSINESS Online.

Her uncle came out to see what was happening.He was also at that moment in the apartment. The man went out into the courtyard, saw numerous fragments and torn off window frames.

“But they didn’t let him back – the firemen arrived very quickly and began to take everyone out of the apartments,” says the daughter of a participant in the sad events. “Mom herself, as she says, most of all wanted to be overlooked and left alone.”

In total, there are six officially injured: two young people, as well as four women, one of whom was taken to intensive care in serious condition, three in satisfactory condition
Photo: mchs.tatarstan.ru

“Attempted suicide?” We cannot comment yet »

As the emergency services later reported, the gas explosion – this was the wording used by the Deputy Prosecutor of the Republic of Tatarstan Alexey Zaika – occurred at 22:44 on the 7th floor of a house on Lenin Street. As a result, the blast wave went in all directions – the fragments scattered within a radius of 20 m both towards Lenin Street itself and into the courtyard. An apartment collapsed from the 8th to the 7th floor – a whole slab of a house collapsed towards the neighbors from below.In addition, 6 neighboring apartments collapsed.

After assessing the situation, the emergency services immediately rushed to evacuate the house – 96 people lived in 50 apartments. After a while, a woman was found under the rubble – she was handed over to doctors with injuries. At 23:27, the body of an 83-year-old man was found: according to the rescuer, who was interviewed by our correspondent, the deceased was found in the room – he was not crushed by a stove.

In total, there are six officially injured: two young people, as well as four women, one of whom was taken to intensive care in serious condition, three in satisfactory condition.All of them are in the local CRH.

“According to eyewitnesses, in one of the apartments of this house, an elderly man whose spouse died, decided to commit suicide by turning on the gas, but for some reason he left the premises, remained alive and was taken to the clinic,” unverified rumors on the Tatarstan telegram channels.

However, the head of the district Mikhail Afanasyev , who arrived at the place, was not so harsh in assessing the reasons: “Attempted suicide? While we cannot comment, the investigative group is working ”.

“The house is de-energized, disconnected from the gas supply system. At the moment, it is not possible to say anything about the specific causes of the explosion. The information will be given after the inspection of the scene of the incident by the employees of the TFR, ”added Deputy Prosecutor Zaik.

Parts of the balcony railing got stuck on trees growing nearby, and broken window frames and glass were scattered tens of meters around.
Photo: Evgeny Zhura

The decision on when the tenants will return to their home will be made today

An explosion occurred in a residential high-rise brick building built in 1974 on one of the central streets of the city.Local residents know the building better from the “Magnet” located on the first floor.

From the first footage of eyewitnesses, it was possible to see how the explosion demolished the balconies on the 7th and 8th floors, so much so that parts of the balcony railing got stuck on trees growing nearby, and broken window frames and glass were scattered tens of meters around. “We, on Karl Marx, already rocked the house,” – noted local residents in social networks.

According to eyewitnesses, cynologists with dogs arrived at the scene immediately after the incident and examined the house.The clearing of the debris after the explosion was personally supervised by the head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for RT Rafis Khabibullin . Rescuers, after examining the house, came to the conclusion that the supporting structures of the building were not damaged. The deputy prosecutor of the Republic of Tatarstan Zaika, the prosecutor of Zelenodolsk Sergey Egorov and his deputy Mikhail Baltusov also went to the scene. The supervisory authority will organize an inspection of compliance with safety requirements during the operation of gas equipment.As reported in the Investigative Directorate of the TFR in the Republic of Tatarstan, in connection with the incident, a criminal case was initiated under Art. 109 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Causing death by negligence”).

Rafis Khabibullin, head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in the Republic of Tatarstan, personally supervised the dismantling of the debris after the explosion. Rescuers, after examining the house, came to the conclusion that the supporting structures of the building were not damaged
Photo: mchs.tatarstan.ru

Temporary accommodation centers were promptly organized for the residents of the building in the area.“Most of the people went to their relatives. Those who have nowhere to go are accommodated in a sanatorium of the city, provided with hot meals. Psychologists are working. Tomorrow we will continue to work, ”the mayor of Zelenodolsk added and noted that 18 residents were accommodated in the Volga sanatorium.

Today, a municipal emergency regime has been introduced in Zelenodolsk, said the head of the Russian Emergencies Ministry for the Republic of Tatarstan. The decision on whether it is possible to return to the apartments will be made tomorrow following a meeting of the special commission, the head of the district added.

90,000 Jet Breakthrough: “nuclear batteries” were tested near Severodvinsk | Articles

The explosion at the test site in the Arkhangelsk region, which took the lives of five Rosatom specialists on August 8, has nothing to do with the work on the Burevestnik rocket. The incident occurred when testing not a rocket, but a promising accelerator – a new liquid-propellant rocket propulsion system, on board of which “nuclear batteries” were mounted, a source of Izvestia in the military department told , and two more sources in the defense industry confirmed.” Batteries” in military-industrial slang refers to fundamentally new isotopic power sources. Despite the failure, development will continue.

Small, but expensive

Field tests of a rocket launcher with isotope sources were carried out on August 8 for the first time , according to Izvestia sources. The purpose of the new development was not disclosed.

“Batteries” were used instead of traditional batteries. According to experts, they will significantly simplify maintenance and reduce the cost of using liquid-propellant rocket engines.In them, the fuel and oxidizer are separated from each other and are forced into the combustion chamber. There they mix, initiation occurs – a microexplosion and combustion begins with the release of a large amount of heat. This design is more complex than that of solid fuel engines.

– A liquid fuel engine has much more energy. This means that the rocket accelerates much faster and reaches high speeds, ”military historian Dmitry Boltenkov explained to Izvestia. – The minus of such engines is in their danger.Fuels and oxidants are highly toxic and explosive. They can lead to disaster and death from poisoning or explosion.

According to the interlocutors of the publication, “atomic batteries” provided the necessary charge capacity of for initiation. The reasons for the incident have not yet been determined . A special commission will have to find the answer to this question.

The Russian Federal Nuclear Center All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics (RFNC-VNIIEF), located in Sarov , is engaged in the development of the “batteries” tested in Nyonoks.One of the directions of work of this scientific institution is the creation of small-sized energy sources using radioactive materials. Such products are necessary not only for new weapons systems, but also for space research, as well as in the national economy. In particular, they are indispensable in the Arctic and other remote areas.

The Russian Federal Nuclear Center All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics (RFNC-VNIIEF), located in Sarov, is engaged in the development of the “batteries” tested in Nyonoks.

Photo: RIA Novosti / Andrey Zolotov

The characteristics of the new isotopic power sources remain classified .Izvestia sent a request to Rosatom with a request to disclose information about which product was tested at the time of the emergency, how the new power sources affect the characteristics of the propulsion system and whether the work will continue. No response was received at the time of publication.

According to experts, “atomic batteries” are the development of so-called radionuclide thermoelectric generators (RTGs). These are compact energy sources that were used for industrial needs back in the Soviet Union.

– Visually, the source is a box meter by meter , – Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia. – The radioactive element is carefully packed in lead shielding. Energy is produced by a fissile element – the weak isotope . It generates heat, it is converted into electricity. These are reliable devices, there have never been problems with them. When destroyed, they create minimal contamination within a radius of 30-40 meters, which does not pose a particular threat to the environment .

Similar works are also carried out abroad. For example, in the United States, the Kilopower project has been implemented since 2015, within the framework of which nuclear reactors for spacecraft with a capacity of 1 to 10 kW are being created. The first tests of such a reactor took place in the Nevada desert last year.

More heat

New isotope power sources – “atomic batteries” – make maintenance, use and storage of liquid-propellant jet engines much easier, says Dmitry Kornev, editor-in-chief of the Militaryrussia Internet project.

– For such propulsion systems, it is very important to maintain thermostaticity – when a constant temperature of the fuel, oxidizer and all systems is maintained, – the expert noted. “Therefore, these products require a very complex infrastructure. They are stored in special rooms and kept permanently connected to energy sources. They are transported in specially equipped vehicles. But thanks to the “atomic battery”, such problems will no longer arise. The isotope source generates enough heat and electricity to maintain the thermostatic mode.

An abnormal situation occurred on August 8 at the Nyonoksa training ground of the Russian Ministry of Defense in the Arkhangelsk region.