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Russian President Vladimir Putin has remained silent, amid growing speculation that a nuclear missile accident has caused a dangerous radiation leak at a naval base. The Kremlin have confirmed that a “rocket engine explosion” at the Archangelsk base in northern Russia killed five people and injured three. Last night, Russia’s nuclear energy agency Rostam admitted that they had been involved in the aftermath of the incident, raising concern of a radiation leak.

Rostam added that the explosion took place during the testing of an “isotope power source”. The official said five of its employees had died as a result of the accident and three more were being treated for burns. However, the extent of the incident and threat of radiation has not been disclosed, amid growing global concern. The Archangelsk naval base has been placed under emergency lockdown for a month, with the nearby White Sea also closed to commercial shipping. JUST IN: North Korea fires two missiles in fury at US-South Korea drills - Kim ‘not happy’

Vladimir Putin has remained silent, amid growing speculation of a nuclear missile accident

One of the ambulance was coated in a chemical protection film

A sudden radiation spike detected in the region following the explosion prompted the initial speculation that the incident was related to a nuclear missile test. The radiation level was recorded as 20 times higher than the normal level in the nearby city of Severodvinsk. This has been reinforced by chilling footage filmed in the aftermath of the incident. One video showed hospital workers wearing hazmat suits while they loaded the injured into an ambulance.

A video in Moscow caught a security escort of ambulances

Hospital workers wearing hazmat suits while they loaded the injured into an ambulance

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