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In Bashkiria, probe launched in death of teenager after icicles fell from water tower

The Bashkiria Office of the Investigative Committee has opened an investigation in provision of services that do not meet safety standards and entailed death of a person by negligence under Part 2, item “c” of Article 238 of the RF Penal Code after a 13-year-old boy was killed when snow and icicles fell on him from the roof of a water rower in the village of Dubki, Ufa District.

According to investigators, on the evening of 28 January 2017, several teenagers were sliding from an unauthorized slide near the water tower. One of them came up to the wall of the tower and started kicking it. An ice-hard mound of snow came upon him from the roof of the tower. The rest of the teenagers were standing at some distance. The boy died at the scene. An ambulance crew arrived to certify his death.

At present, investigative operations are underway to find out all the circumstances surrounding the incident and to identify people responsible for maintaining the water tower. The investigation is ongoing.

In connection with this tragic incident, we drew attention of all owners and lease-holders of buildings and constructions to the necessity to clear snow for roofs, drains and sheds. We are also asking people to display vigilance and report any failure to clear snow and ice from roofs to inspectorates.