Accessibility links

Breaking News

Thirty-Seven Dead After Fire At Russian Psychiatric Hospital


Russian firefighters extinguish the fire at a psychiatric hospital in the Novgorod regional town of Luka on September 13.
Russian firefighters extinguish the fire at a psychiatric hospital in the Novgorod regional town of Luka on September 13.
Investigators say 37 people are dead after a fire that raged through a psychiatric hospital in Russia's northwestern Novgorod region.

The regional Investigative Committee said 26 bodies have already been pulled out of the rubble in the village of Luka, where the blaze broke out before dawn on September 13.

Officials said a nurse who attempted to rescue patients was among the dead.

Around 60 people were in the building, including severely incapacitated patients. More than 20 patients were evacuated.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire. A federal criminal probe into suspected negligence has been opened.

It was the second deadly fire at a Russian psychiatric hospital this year. In April, a fire at a facility outside Moscow killed 38 people.

Based on reporting by Reuters, ITAR-TASS, dpa, and Interfax

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG