Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation Alexander Bastrykin held an interagency meeting on the site of the tragedy that had occurred in the Novgorod region. It was attended by members of the Investigative Committee of Russia, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of the Interior of Russia and the Ministry of Health.

Alexander Bastrykin assigned the criminal investigation to the Main Investigations Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. Investigation plan has been developed. Specific instructions have been given to investigators, forensic experts and operational services.

As previously reported, Investigative agencies of the Investigative Committee of Russia in the Novgorod region opened a criminal case over a fire at the “Oksochi” psycho-neurological care home in the Luka village of the Malovishersky district under Part 3 of Art. 109 of the Criminal Code (causing death by negligence) and Part 3 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code (negligence). According to preliminary data, there were 59 men inside the building and a nurse. 23 people were evacuated. The report on a fire was received by regional investigative bodies of the Investigative Committee of Russia at about 4.00 a.m. on September 13, 2013. To date, 33 dead bodies have been found. The nurse, who was rescuing people, died in fire. According to preliminary data, the fire was caused by careless handling of fire by one of the patients.

Currently, investigators and forensics experts of the Investigative Committee of Russia are continuing to work at the scene. The scene survey is being conducted. Alexander Bastrykin is personally coordinating the work of the investigation group at the scene.

In the framework of the criminal case, the completeness and legality of the actions of officials who are responsible for ensuring the safety of medical patients will be checked. In this regard, the investigators are conducting searches, seizing documents in psycho-neurological care home. The incident witnesses are being established and questioned. Fire and forensic expert examinations have been scheduled. Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation is personally supervising the investigation.