The Voronezh Region investigating bodies of the Russia’s Investigative Committee have opened a criminal investigation in a crime under part 3 of article 109 of the RF Penal Code (reckless homicide of two or more people) following the death of people in a fire in Novohopyorsk Psychoneurological Care Home.
Experienced criminologists have been sent from Moscow to Voronezh Region to provide practical assistance in the investigation. The investigation is under control of the senior officials of the Russia’s Investigative Committee.
According to investigators, about 11 PM, 12 December 2015, a fire started at Novohopyorsk Psychoneurological Care Home located in Tsentralyana street in the village of Alfyorovka, Novokhopyorsk District, Voronezh Region. The examination and initial investigation have revealed that the fire razed the building of the Psychoneurological Care Home 15X40 meters in area. At the moment the fire had started, there were 74 people inside, including 70 patients and 4 medical personnel. The fire was contained about 3 AM, 13 December 2015. 23 dead bodies were found at the fire scene, 23 injured people were taken to hospitals in Voronezh Region.
At the present time, a number of measures are being taken to find out all the details of the incident, to collect and consolidate the evidence. A number of forensic inquiries, including a forensic medical one to find the exact cause of death of the killed, fire technical one to find out reasons for the fire have been assigned. Identification of dead bodies is underway, witnesses of the incident are being identified and questioned, and other investigative and procedural operations are underway. The investigators are going to check all possible versions of the fire that claimed so many lives. All possible measures will be taken to find out the reasons and conditions that had contributed to the crime. The investigation is ongoing.
Head of Media Relations V.I. Markin
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