Russian President Vladimir Putin declared March 28 a day of national mourning for the victims of a shopping mall fire, TASS reports. A three-day mourning for the dead was declared in the Kemerovo region.
The relevant Decree was signed by the Head of State Vladimir Putin. State flags to be lowered, recreational activities as well as TV and radio programs to be suspended.
Putin flew to the city of Kemerovo earlier on Tuesday to look at the investigation. He brought flowers to the spontaneous memorial near the Zimnyaya Vishnya mall and met with initiative group of Kemerovo inhabitants. Afterwards, the President held a special disaster management meeting. Following the minute of silence, Putin has expressed condolences to the bereaved families and friends. Russian President ordered regional Cabinet of Ministers and central government bodies to take all necessary measures to assist victims and their families.
As we reported before, 64 people including 41 children have died in the fire broken out in The Winter Cherry shopping mall. More than 60 people stay in bad condition.
The President gave the order to a Special Investigation Committee to learn acts of all officials that have let the tragedy in the Zimnyaya Vishnya shopping center. He has underlined that no document can be obtained without money, but with a bribe any document could be made. According to Putin, the main purpose of the fire is gross negligence and sloppiness.
Meanwhile, residents of Kemerovo went to a spontaneous rally to the building of the regional administration today, on March 27. During the rally they demanded to know the truth about the fire cause, and requested dismissal of the city Mayor Ilya Seredyuk and Governor Amir Tuleev.
Russkiy Mir
