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Ostankino television tower works normally after emergency situation

Ostankino television tower is working normally now after the false turning on of the fire extinguishing system

MOSCOW, August 13 (Itar-Tass) —— Ostankino television tower is working normally now after the false turning on of the fire extinguishing system, which caused death of an engineer, press service of the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network said on Monday.

“Nothing threatens lives and health of people working there,” the source said.

As the gas system of fire extinguishing goes off, personnel is evacuated, the entire building is blocked and filled with gas thus putting out a fire, the press service said.

“The system went off at lower technical floors, and about twelve people were evacuated,” the source said adding the television tower’s engineer died.

The company reported that a special commission would find out reasons of the false emergency situation and reasons of the death of one person.

The Ostankino television tower /540.1 metres high/ is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers. Currently, it is the tallest tower in Europe and sixth tallest in the world. The tower was the first free-standing structure to exceed 500 metres in height. It is named after the Ostankino district of Moscow, where it is located.