Two dead and radiation spike reported after Russia rocket test blast

Portion of White Sea closed to civilian ships for a month after explosion in Arkhangelsk

Two people have been killed and radiation levels reportedly spiked after a rocket engine exploded during a test in northern Russia, prompting authorities to close a portion of the White Sea to civilian ships for a month.

The reports of a sudden rise in radiation levels in the nearby city of Severodvinsk after the explosion contradicted official statements by Russia's defence ministry that all radiation levels in the area remained stable. The surge in radiation levels lasted less than one hour, local officials said.