West Siberian Transport Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee carries on investigation into a criminal case opened over signs of a crime under 3 of article 263 of the RF Criminal Code (violation of safety rules for traffic and operation of internal water transport involving by negligence death of two or more people).
Chemical tests of 4 crew members of the passenger motor vessel and 2 crewmembers of the barge were run to find if there was alcohol or drug intoxication. According to the result of medical examination alcohol was found in blood of the motor vessel captain. No signs of alcohol intoxication were found in the rest 5 crew members of the two vessels. The captain of the motor vessel has been detained under article 91 of the RF Criminal Procedure Code, it is being decided whether to bring charges against him and send a request to place him in custody.
Crewmembers of both vessels, 24 passengers of the Polesie-8 motor vessel and 4 witnesses from crews of other vessels have already been questioned. Documents of Polesie-8, journal of review of navigators of OAO Omsk River Port (OJSC), dispatcher and cashbook documents have been seized from Russian River Register.
The dead bodies have been sent for medical forensic examination and identification procedure.
Today investigators are going to inspect the motor vessel in detail, after it is lifted from water, to question other passengers and to seize from Omsk River Port ship’s documents and documents permitting the crews of both vessels to navigate. In addition, investigators have organized a check into the negligence of the officials of the Omsk River Port, who let the vessel sail. A procedural decision will be made following the check.
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