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People nominated for awards for heroism displayed during meteor shower

The governor also highly praised numerous volunteers for their heroic efforts to restore houses

CHELYABINSK, February 20 (Itar-Tass) - The population of the Chelyabinsk region who displayed heroism, rendered quick assistance and rescued the people during the recent meteor shower in Chelyabinsk will be awarded by the regional governor.

A gala award ceremony will be held at the residence of regional governor Mikhail Yurevich on February 22, the governor's press service said on Wednesday.

The lists of the citizens nominated for awards are being specified at the regional administration, it said.

One of the nominees is a coach in spring board diving , Alexander Kharlamov. He had been coaching a group of children on the second floor of a swimming pool building when the meteorite crashed onto the ground. The coach who received numerous glass cut injuries, shielded the children as he led them out into the street. Only after he saw that the children were safe the coach asked for medical assistance and was hospitalized.

Director of an orphanage in the town of Kurkino Rashid Sultanov took all the orphans out of the orphanage when the building was under threat; none of the orphans was hurt.

Ali Hamidov, a student of South Urals University, received numerous cut injuries caused by scattered pieces of window glass smashed out by the force of the meteor explosion. However, as soon as a doctor disinfected and dressed the wounds the student joined his colleagues to hammer any materials which were at hand into the window frames.

The regional governor characterized as "heroic" the conduct of the people who did not lose courage and helped their fellow citizens in trouble. The governor also highly praised numerous volunteers for their heroic efforts to restore houses heavily damaged by the meteor shower.

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