Russia meteor shower videos, photos: Russia Ural Mountains meteor injures more than 1,000 people

A meteor shower sparked an explosion that left nearly 1,000 people injured Friday in southern Russia, state media reported.

Of the hundreds, at least three were critically injured by broken glass, state-run RIA Novosti reported.

A bright white flash appeared in the sky for a few seconds, followed by a heavy "bang" that sounded like a blast, according to Russian News Agency Itar-Tass.

The meteorite fell 50 miles (80 km) from Satka city, Itar-Tass reported.

Russian emergency officials said the meteorite was destroyed after it partially burned in the lower atmosphere over the Ural district.

Glass broke in high rise buildings, causing the injuries, the the Russian Emergency Ministry said in a statement.

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Jim Heintz Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) -- A Russian health official says nearly 1,000 people have sought help for injuries caused by a meteor that exploded in the sky, blasting out countless windows.

Chelyabinsk health chief Marina Moskvicheva, said Friday that 985 people in her city had asked for medical assistance. The Interfax news agency quoted her as saying 43 were hospitalized.

The Russian Academy of Sciences said the meteor - estimated to be about 10 tons - entered the Earth's atmosphere going at least 54,000 kph (33,000 mph). It shattered about 30-50 kilometers (18-32 miles) above the ground, releasing several kilotons of energy above the Ural Mountains.

Amateur video broadcast on Russian television showed an object speeding across the sky just after sunrise, leaving a thick white contrail and an intense flash.