Three of the experts – Sergei Rizhov, Gennadi Benyok, and Nicolai Tronov – were among the atom facility's designers. Andrei Trokinov, a top Russian nuclear technological expert, was also killed, as was Valery Lalyn, another nuclear expert. The five worked at Bushehr and were to ensure the facility would withstand natural disasters. The five were employed by Hydropress, a member-organization of Russia's State Nuclear Corporation. Hydropress is one of the main companies involved in the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, and is also involved in projects in China, India and Bulgaria.

Novosti sources said that the deaths were "a great blow to the Russian nuclear industry."

According to the news agency's sources, no foul play was involved.