Russian Investigative Committee checking tour operator after road accident involving Russian travelers in Dominican Republic
MOSCOW. Nov 27 (Interfax) - Moscow investigators are checking a tour operator after a road accident in the Dominican Republic that hurt Russian travelers, the Russian Investigative Committee said in a statement seen by Interfax on Wednesday.
"The investigators have learned that a bus carrying 39 Russian travelers collided with a truck in the Dominican Republic on November 26. As a result of the road accident, Russian citizens sustained injuries of various degrees," the statement said.
The Moscow branch of the Russian Investigative Committee launched a preliminary inquiry into the safety of services provided by the tour operator. "The investigators will give a legal opinion whether the [tour operator's] activity contains formal elements of a crime," the statement said.
"The injured are receiving medical attendance at hospitals," it said.
The road accident happened near the city of Higuey in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. The bus carrying 39 Russian holidaymakers, their guide and a driver was en route to La Romana Airport on the road connecting the airport to the main resort towns of the region, Punta Cana and Bavaro. All travelers booked their tours with the Anex Tour operator. As the truck was changing lanes to exit the road, the bus driver stepped on the brakes and the bus capsized. Twenty-seven people were hurt; 20 were taken to the Higuey hospital, and seven with severe injuries were transported to hospitals of the capital, Santo Domingo.
According to the tour operator, seven out of 39 tourists boarded their flight on November 26. "Five have checked into the Whala Bayahibe hotel and are ready to leave by the next flight. The insurance company is booking their tickets to Russia," the statement said.