Death toll in Siberia Mall fire continues to rise, figure at 64 dead

The death toll of the number of people known to have died as a result of the fire that tore through a shopping and entertainment complex in the Siberian coal-mining city of Kemerovo has risen to 64.

Russian officials have indicated that amongst the victims were children and 10 people are still listed as missing.

"According to preliminary information, the roof collapsed in two cinemas," Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire

The region's deputy governor Vladimir Chernov was quoted as saying the fire began in a children's trampoline room.

"The preliminary suspicion is that a child had a cigarette lighter which ignited foam rubber in this trampoline room, and it erupted like gunpowder," he said.

Anna Kuznetsova, Russia's commissioner for children's rights has called for similar entertainment complexes to undergo urgent safety checks, blaming the incident of negligence.

Around 660 emergency personnel were deployed in the rescue effort as firefighters tackled the blaze for more than 17 hours.



BBC


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