Fire deaths reach 29 in Russia's Khakasia region
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 15 April 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Fire deaths reach 29 in Russia's Khakasia region, 15 April 2015, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/5565b9fe42.html [accessed 27 June 2017] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 15, 2015
The death toll from fires that swept Russia's southern Siberian region of Khakasia has risen to 29.
Regional government officials said on April 15 that three people were missing as rescue teams continued working across the region.
The Emergency Situations Ministry said earlier that more than 900 people in dozens of towns and villages were injured in the blazes, which were caused by the burning of dry leaves and spread fast by strong winds.
More than 1,500 houses burned down, leaving at least 5,000 people homeless in Khakasia.
Evacuations, casualties, and damage from wildfires have been reported in other Siberian regions including Altai, Amur, Buryatia, Tyva, Zabaikalye, Krasnoyarsk, and Irkutsk.
Russian Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fyodorov said on April 15 that the damages to local farmers caused by the fire across Siberian regions were estimated by more than 600 million rubles ($11.6 million).
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
