News

Charges pressed against three gas service representatives, whose actions entailed cooking gas explosion and death of people in Belgorod Region

The Investigative Committee of Russia continues investigation of a probe into cooking gas explosion in a residential 12-apartment house in Yakovlevo settlement of Belgorod Region on December 3, 2019.

To ensure the most prompt investigation, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia transferred the probe to the Main Investigations Directorate of the Committee.

During investigative actions, it was established that the gas in an explosive concentration accumulated in the basement of the residential building and infiltrated first and second floor. When the residents attempted to use household gas appliances, it led to a gas explosion with subsequent collapse of walls and ceilings, which entailed the death of two persons; five more persons were delivered to Belgorod hospitals with injuries of varying severity. One of the victims died in a medical institution.

According to the investigation, the release of gas and its accumulation in the basement of a residential building occurred as a result of illegal actions of representatives of Gazprom Gaz Distribution Subsidiary Belgorod JSC in the town of Stroitel, who made a tie-in connection to the main gas pipeline with rude violations of safety rules for gas hazardous works.

Due to the circumstances established additionally, the actions of the gas service specialists were qualified as an offence under Article 216 of the Criminal Code of Russia, that is a violation of the safety rules during construction or other works entailing the death of two persons.

Three representatives of the designated organization, directly responsible for organization and carrying out of the hazardous works, have been detained and charged. In the near future, the investigation will motion the court to place them into custody.

 

 

Official spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia S. Petrenko