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Arzamas-16 researcher died on June 20

Publish date: June 23, 1997

Written by: Igor Kudrik

Senior researcher Alexandr Zakharov, who received high dose of radiation on June 17 as a result of an accident at one of the laboratories in Arzamas-16, died on June 20 being unconscious, reports RIA News agency.

On June 17, at 10:50 Moscow time, malfunctioning research equipment led to strong emissions of neutron rays at a laboratory in Arzamas-16 (Sarov), Nizhny Novgorod county. The researcher who was in the room at the time of the accident, received some 200 Rem and was brought to Hospital no. 6 in Moscow.

Contradictory to Minatom statements to the effect that there is a cure available for people exposed to such high doses of radiation, the researcher died on June 20. He was unconscious a the time of death.

Currently, a committee established by Minatom is trying to unravel the reasons to and consequences of the accident in Arzamas-16, where an "incomplete" chain reaction occurred; probably as a result of malfunctioning research equipment. The commission is having difficulties when trying to penetrate to the room where the accident happened, reports RIA News.

According to Minatom officials, there were no discharge of radiation to the environment.

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