odd things

Apparent Meteor Blows Up Over Russia [Updated]

A meteor estimated to weigh 10 tons and traveling at 33,000 mph exploded over western Siberia in Russia early Friday. The explosion injured some 500 people who were hit mostly by glass that was broken by the boom. The explosion, captured on amateur video, broke windows, set off car alarms, and disrupted cell phone service in Russia’s Ural mountains near Chelyabins, Reuters reports. A zinc factory was reportedly damaged by falling fragments.

Russia is scrambling to collect meteorite fragments, dispatching more than 20,000 people and several airplanes for the task.

This post has been updated throughout.