This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24076193
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Dozens missing after deadly Russia hospital fire | |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least two people have died and more than 30 are missing after a fire swept through a psychiatric hospital in north-western Russia, officials say. | |
The blaze occurred in the village of Luka, in Novgorod region. The wooden hospital housed some 60 people. | |
The fire broke out just before 03:00 local time (23:00 GMT Thursday). | The fire broke out just before 03:00 local time (23:00 GMT Thursday). |
It may have been started by one of the patients, reports say. Officials had previously ordered the building to be closed among safety concerns. | |
The fire started in the male ward and spread quickly through the singe-storey Oksochi hospital, emergency ministry officials say. TV pictures later showed the gutted building. | |
"Medical personnel saw a patient who was shrouded in flames. It's possible that he was smoking in bed and the mattress caught fire," regional Governor Sergei Mitin told Russia's Interfax news agency. | |
He added that the ward housed severely ill patients. | |
Forest searched | |
The officials say one of those killed was a nurse who was trying to save the patients. More than 20 people were evacuated. | |
Reports in Russian media later said that at least six people could have died - but this has not been officially confirmed. | |
The fire has now been extinguished, and rescuers are searching the nearby forest, hoping to find any survivors who may have taken refuge there. | The fire has now been extinguished, and rescuers are searching the nearby forest, hoping to find any survivors who may have taken refuge there. |
A criminal investigation is now under way for "causing death by negligence". | |
Several fires at state institutions across Russia in recent years resulted in heavy loss of life. | Several fires at state institutions across Russia in recent years resulted in heavy loss of life. |
In April, a blaze at another psychiatric hospital near Moscow killed 38 people. | In April, a blaze at another psychiatric hospital near Moscow killed 38 people. |
In 2009, 23 people died at an old people's home in the north-west Komi region, while in 2007, 63 were killed at a home in Krasnodar, southern Russia. | In 2009, 23 people died at an old people's home in the north-west Komi region, while in 2007, 63 were killed at a home in Krasnodar, southern Russia. |
In 2006, a fire at a Moscow drug rehabilitation clinic killed 45 women. | In 2006, a fire at a Moscow drug rehabilitation clinic killed 45 women. |