Russia: Death toll in Siberia wildfires reaches 34; Putin orders repairs
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 April 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Death toll in Siberia wildfires reaches 34; Putin orders repairs, 21 April 2015, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba1f15.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 21, 2015
By RFE/RL
Russia's chief emergency official says wildfires that have swept through parts of Siberia and engulfed towns in the Khakasia region last week have killed 34 people and injured 7,500.
Speaking during a visit to Khakasia by President Vladimir Putin, Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov said the fires destroyed about 1,400 homes and left 5,000 people homeless.
Putin visited a shelter for people who have lost their homes and said all restoration and repair work should be completed by September 1.
He said any officials whose inaction or poor response exacerbated the damage and casualties must be held reponsible.
Puchkov blamed the wildfires on "abnormal weather changes" and local residents burning grass and garbage. Farmers often set fire to dry grass to clean up the fields after winter.
Last week, Putin's envoy to Siberia suggested that Russia's political opposition set the fires.
On the morning of April 21, the Siberian Federal District forestry department said that 53 fires were still burning across 101,073 hectares.
With reporting by TASS and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
