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Dozens missing after deadly Russia hospital fire Dozens missing after deadly Russia hospital fire
(about 1 hour 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. At least six 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 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.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. The fire started in the male ward and spread quickly through the single-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. "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.He added that the ward housed severely ill patients.
Forest searchedForest searched
Six bodies were found in the gutted building, Russia's emergencies ministry said.
The officials say one of those killed was a nurse who was trying to save the patients. More than 20 people were evacuated.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 hundreds of 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".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.