Categories: News & Events

Forty-one children among dead in Siberian mall fire

Investigators say there had been “serious violations” at the Winter Cherry mall, Kemerovo, following the deaths of 64 people.People gather to pay tribute to the victims of the fire

Forty-one children were killed in a fire at a shopping centre complex in Kemerovo, Russia, local media has said.

Both the RIA and Interfax news agencies reported the figure, saying that a list of victims had been made available to relatives.

It came as thousands of residents held a rally in the city, demanding a full inquiry into what happened.

Image:People grieve at a makeshift memorial in Kemerovo

Protesters, many of them in tears, claimed authorities had been hiding the true death toll and that the number killed was higher.

One of them shouted: “Why don’t they tell us the truth?” A placard read: “How many victims are there really?”

Russian President Vladimir Putin, on a visit to Kemerovo, said earlier that “criminal negligence” was behind the blaze that killed 64 people in the Siberian city.

Witnesses reported that fire alarms were silent and many doors, including those to a cinema, were locked.

The head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, told Mr Putin the doors may have been closed to stop people without a ticket from getting in.

“Most of the staff ran away and left parents and their children to their fate,” he said.

Image:Thousands of protesters gathered in front of government buildings

Mr Putin, who has announced that Wednesday will be a day of national mourning, laid flowers in tribute to the victims, though it is not known whether he has spoken to those affected.

His comments, aired on state television, came after investigators said a security guard had turned off the public address system and fire exits had been illegally blocked.

Mr Bastrykin told Mr Putin the mall’s fire alarm system had been out of order since 19 March. A search is under way for the security guard.

Related Post

Mr Bastrykin said five people had been detained.

The Investigative Committee said on Monday there had been “serious violations” at the Winter Cherry mall, which is situated in an industrial coal-mining city 3,600km (2,200 miles) east of Moscow.

Image:President Putin meets local people and relatives of those missing

In addition to the cinema, the complex also contained a children’s play area, an ice rink, and a petting zoo.

Parents of missing youngsters have been posting pictures in an attempt to find their loved ones.

Russian television broadcasts showed people leaping from the windows of the building which was engulfed in black smoke.

Up to 11 people are still believed to be missing. The Investigative Committee said 10 people were treated in hospital, while 44 had sought medical treatment.

Image:President Putin meets one of the victims of the fire

Among those whose fate is unknown is a 12-year-old girl, Viktoria ‘Vika’ Pochankina, who became trapped in the mall’s cinema while watching a film with classmates, according to the Siberian Times.

When her aunt Evgenia called her, Vika said: “Everything is burning, the doors are blocked. I can’t go out, I can’t breathe.”

Image:The building is in danger of collapse

Before the call ended, Vika reportedly added: “Auntie, tell all my family I love them, tell mum that I loved her.”

Shopper Ivan told the Siberian Times he had been at an indoor ice rink with his children.

“As we rushed out of the building, I saw a teenager falling out of a window,” he said.

“‘There was no fire alarm, no automatic fire extinguishing.”




  • Tags: www.bbc.com
    umar abdullahi

    Recent Posts

    Heart Attack Causes and its Solution

    What is the Main Cause of a Heart Attack? What is its Solution? A heart attack is the blockage of… Read More

    1 year ago

    Understanding the Debt Ceiling: Its Impact, Importance, and Implications

    In the vast economic arena, one term that often takes center stage, inciting extensive debates and discussions, is the "debt… Read More

    1 year ago

    De-Dollarization: The New World Order of Currency and Its Global Impact

    De-Dollarization: The Changing Face of Global Finance The financial landscape is in a state of flux, with an intriguing economic… Read More

    2 years ago

    Unstoppable Bayern Munich: The Story Behind Their 11th Consecutive Bundesliga Title

    The curtains closed on a dramatic Bundesliga season with Bayern Munich standing tall once again, clinching their 11th straight title.… Read More

    2 years ago

    Celine Dion Cancels Concert Tour Due to Deteriorating Stiff-Person Syndrome

    The Unfolding Story of Celine Dion's Health In recent news that has left fans across the globe stunned, iconic singer… Read More

    2 years ago

    Navigating the Crossroads: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the LA Lakers’ Uncertain Future

    As the echoes of the recent NBA season start to fade, the attention of enthusiasts is firmly glued to one… Read More

    2 years ago