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In Moscow and Saratov Oblasts, Circumstances of Citizens Suffering Injuries by Falling Snow and Ice Are Being Clarified

On February 1, 2022, the law enforcement authorities of Balashikha received a report stating that a 35-year-old woman and her two children aged 5 and 8 years were admitted to the hospital with contused head wounds they sustained as a result of ice falling on them from a house roof. Following this incident, the investigative authorities of the Main Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia for Moscow Oblast initiated a criminal case on a possible crime under Part 1 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code (provision of services that do not meet safety requirements). Currently, the investigator is viewing the place of occurrence and interrogating witnesses; it is planned to schedule a forensic medical examination in order to determine the degree of harm caused to the injured persons' health.

In addition, on February 1, 2022, a 22-year-old woman was injured as a result of a lump of snow falling from the roof of a house on Michurina Street in Saratov. She was hospitalized to a healthcare facility. Following this incident, the investigative authorities of the Investigative Department of the IC of Russia for Saratov Oblast organized a pre-investigation check.

Due to the frequently changing weather conditions in a number of regions and cases of injury and death of citizens, the IC of Russia once again reminds of simple safety rules: one should keep a distance from buildings if snow and ice are visible on the roof and protruding parts (canopies, balconies, decorative elements).

In all cases of injury to citizens, investigators of the IC of Russia carry out measures aimed at clarifying all the circumstances of the incident, including the identification of persons responsible for timely roof cleaning.

Please note that housing and utilities organizations and regional authorities must organize timely cleaning of roofs of buildings and structures from icicles, snow, and ice ensure the restriction of citizens' passage in hazardous areas, as well as control over the quality of cleaning and maintenance of buildings and structures. In the event of harmful consequences for citizens, failure to provide these measures entails criminal liability.