Support The Moscow Times!

Russia Launches Nationwide Safety Investigation Into Malls After Deadly Fire Kills 64 People

Donat Sorokin / TASS

Russia has launched safety investigations at shopping malls across the nation in the wake of a massive fire that killed scores of children and adults in Siberia. 

Emergency officials confirmed 41 children and 23 adults were killed in the flames that swept through the mall in Kemerovo on Sunday. Five people have been detained, and investigators say fire exits had been blocked and fire alarms were not working when the fire tore through the Winter Cherry mall’s upper floors.

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that nationwide inspections have been ordered by the General Prosecutor’s Office. 

“The ministry’s supervisory body specialists are focusing on the work of alarm and fire-extinguishing systems, emergency exit routes and fire extinguishing equipment,” the ministry said. 

The inspections, targeting malls in Russia with “entertainment centers” and movie theaters, are scheduled to wrap up on April 16. 

The Prosecutor General’s Office said it was monitoring the inspections.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more