19 Dec 2018 14:29

About 400 children die in fires in Russia in 2018

MOSCOW. Dec 19 (Interfax) - Almost 400 children have died in fires in Russia this year, according to the Emergency Situations Ministry.

"Unfortunately, 386 minors have died in fires," Rinat Yenikeyev, the director of the Emergency Situations Ministry's Oversight and Prevention Department and Chief State Fire Inspector, said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Most of them died at home, Yenikeyev said.

He cited the social environment, neglect, and violations of fire safety rules as key reasons for children's deaths in fire.

The latest case occurred in Magadan on Wednesday. According to the Investigative Committee, a fire broke out at a private home in Magadan on the morning of December 19; two children, aged two and four, died. Their mother and an 11-month-old baby were taken to a hospital.