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Charges pressed against a person detained under a probe into death of 11 people at performance of works on sewage treatment facilities in Rostov Region

The Main Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia continues investigation of a probe into death of 11 persons at performance of works on sewage treatment facilities in Neklinovsky district of Rostov Region.

Investigators established that on May 21, 2021, works were carried out in the pumping station at the sewage treatment plant of the Municipal Unitary Enterprise Vodokanal Management of the city of Taganrog to replace the technical water supply valve; during the works the sediment accumulated during the downtime at the place where the water supply was cut into the collector was destroyed. As a result, sewage and ammonia gases flowed into the station building like an avalanche, causing a sharp poisoning of the employees performing the works.

10 workers of the municipal unitary enterprise, who didn't use individual protection means, died at the scene after losing consciousness due to gas poisoning, another one died in the healthcare facility. 4 persons are receiving treatment in a healthcare facility.

Responsibility for compliance with the technical requirements of the project of work performance and control over compliance with labor protection rules and regulations is assigned to the chief engineer of the municipal unitary enterprise Yuri Polyakov, who failed to control the preparation and agree on the work plan, and also to ensure the observance of technological discipline and the use of personal protective equipment.
Polyakov has been detained; the court ruled to place him into custody upon investigative motion. Today he was charged with committing an offense under Part 3 of Article 216 of the Criminal Code of Russia (violation of safety rules at performance of works entailing by negligence death of two or more persons).

Investigators have inspected the scene with use of construction equipment, carried out an investigative experiment, seized and studied technical documents, questioned Vodokanal workers, arranged 18 forensic examinations, a complex engineer and technical examination and assessment of compliance with labor safety rules and regulations. Investigators are carrying out other investigative and procedural activities aimed to establish all circumstances of the incident.


Official spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia S. Petrenko