6 servicemen killed in bunker fire in Russia's Kursk region

Six Russian servicemen died on Monday as a result of a fire that broke out in a bunker in Russia's Kursk region, the Defense Ministry said, reported Xinhua.

The six victims were servicemen of the Western Military District, which were stationed in the Kursk region, RIA Novosti news agency quoted the ministry as saying.

According to the ministry, the servicemen "grossly violated safety requirements when handling combustible materials," causing a flammable liquid to ignite in a dugout. The fire quickly engulfed the dugout, and the six servicemen were killed as a result of the fire.

An investigation has been launched into the incident, according to the ministry.