At least 23 Russian soldiers were killed and 19 taken to hospital when a military barracks collapsed yesterday near the Siberian city of Omsk.
I can say that all people responsible in varying degrees for this tragedy, regardless of their position or duty, will be prosecuted and will be punished– Vladimir Markin, Russia’s federal Investigative Committee
Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured) today sent condolences to the families of the victims of the accident at the paratroopers’ training centre, and gave instructions to provide all necessary assistance to the injured.
Part of the four-storey barracks at the training centre partially collapsed when personnel were inside, the Office of the President confirmed today.
The quality of repairs carried out in 2013 on the 40-year-old building is one line of inquiry being pursued by Russia’s federal Investigative Committee, Reuters reported.
"I can say that all people responsible in varying degrees for this tragedy, regardless of their position or duty, will be prosecuted and will be punished," the committee’s spokesman, Vladimir Markin, told Reuters.
Rescue services said violations in construction procedure during repairs were a possible cause of the roof and floor collapse, reported RT.com, citing Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
Forty-two soldiers were rescued from the rubble, reported RT.com.
The centre was built in 1975 and underwent a major overhaul in 2013. Russia’s SOGAS insurance group has said it will pay each of the victims’ families "about 5.8 million rubles ($1million)", RT.com reported.
Photograph: Russian president Vladimir Putin at a meeting with the BRICS Business Council on 9 July (Kremlin.ru)
