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Putin orders Defense Ministry to assist investigation into deadly Omsk barracks collapse

The barracks of the airborne troops’ training center near Omsk in southwestern Siberia collapsed overnight on July 13, killing 24 soldiers
A military barrack with collapsed ceiling is seen at a base in Omsk, Russia, Monday, July 13, 2015 AP Photo/Dmitry Feoktistov
A military barrack with collapsed ceiling is seen at a base in Omsk, Russia, Monday, July 13, 2015
© AP Photo/Dmitry Feoktistov

MOSCOW, July 16. / TASS /. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Defense Ministry to render all assistance to the investigation into the collapse of barracks in the Siberian city of Omsk.

"We are talking about the acceptance of military equipment, but shouldn’t the acceptance of public amenities, the places of residence of service members and other similar facilities be organized in a proper way?" Putin said speaking at the events held in the framework of a single day of armaments acceptance. "It is necessary for the Defense Ministry to render comprehensive assistance to military investigators in conducting a thorough investigation into the causes of this disaster."

The president noted that "when people came to serve in the Armed Forces, they were ready for anything to defend the interests of their home country, they were ready to sacrifice their lives." "But in this case what did the people die for?" he said.

The barracks of the airborne troops’ training center near Omsk collapsed overnight on July 13. There were 337 soldiers in the building, 42 of them found themselves under the rubble. The accident claimed the lives of 24 soldiers, another 19 service members were taken to hospital. The investigation is carried out under three articles of Russia’s Criminal Code — "Negligence," "Violation of safety rules during construction work" and "Abuse of power."

Vladimir Putin instructed Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu to provide assistance to the families of those who died in the barracks collapse. "It’s necessary to support the people who lost their sons both morally and financially, and, of course, to deliver the necessary medical aid to the injured soldiers so that they can resume active service," Putin said.