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Wildfires destroy over 200 residential houses in southeast Siberia

Vladimir Svetelsky, the head of the Emergencies Ministry's local rescue center, said on Tuesday that strong winds were fuelling forest fires in Siberia

CHITA, April 15. /TASS/. Over 200 residential houses were destroyed inflicting damages on 21,000 people as a result of wildfires in the Trans-Baikal Territory, in Russia’s southeastern Siberia, the region’s governor, Konstantin Ilkovsky, said on Wednesday.

"According to our information, which is still being updated, 203 houses in 18 residential areas were completely destroyed," Ilkovsky said adding that 284 dacha buildings were damaged.

The situation with wildfires is complicated in the Siberian Federal District, particularly in the Republic of Buryatia and the Republic of Khakassia.

Vladimir Svetelsky, the head of the Emergencies Ministry's local rescue center, said on Tuesday that strong winds were fuelling forest fires in Siberia.

Wildfires raging in the Republic of Khakassia have left over 20 people dead and some 4,700 homeless. Local meteorologists have warned of strong winds which could cause more fires in Khakassia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin had no plans so far to visit Khakassia, but assured that the president was keeping the wildfire situation in the region under personal supervision.