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Investigation operations in case over accident at Sayano-Shushenskaya hydropower plant completed

Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee has completed investigation operations into a criminal case over the 2009 accident at Sayano-Shushenskaya hydropower plant.

Director of branch of OAO RusGidro – P.S. Neporozhny SayanoShushenskaya Hydropower Station Nikolai Nevolko, chief engineer of the plant Andrei Mitrofanov, his deputies Yevgeny Shervarly and Gennady Nikitenko and employees of Equipment Monitoring Service Alexander Matviyenko, Vladimir Beloborodov and Alexander Klyukach are charged with a crime under part 3 of article 216 of the RF Criminal Code (violation of safety rules during activities entailing the death of two or more persons and major damage). 

According to investigators, the accused being in charge of the safe operation of hydrotechnical equipment at Sayano-Shushenskaya hydropower plant through negligence and during a long period of time allowed improper shaking operation of generating unit №2. Employees of the plant did nothing and did not take any measures to eliminate the technical failure, including during planned repair works in January-March 2009. As a result on 17 August 2009, when the amplitude of vibration of turbine bearing increased to 840 micron, with the maximum allowed of 160 micron, a mount of turbine roof started distracting which resulted in its breakaway, the turbine half annex was flooded, distraction of and damage to buildings, technical facilities and technological equipment of Sayano-Shushenskaya hydropower plant and death of 75 people of staff and contractors.

At present the victims, accused and their lawyers are reading 1,150 volumes of the files of the case. After that is completed, the case will be sent to the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation to decide on the approval of indictment.