Russia recommends villagers leave area after accident

123rf

Residents of the Russian city of Nyonoksa have been asked to move out of their homes after last week's rocket engine accident caused a spike in radiation levels.

According to the country's state weather service, the radiation levels were 16 times higher than normal.

It was reportedly caused by an explosion during a rocket engine test on a sea platform in Severodvinsk.

"We have received a notification...about the planned activities of the military authorities. In this regard, residents of Nyonoksa were asked to leave the territory of the village from August 14," authorities in Severodvinsk were quoted as saying.