MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. One more person has been detained on suspicion of involvement in the deadly accident in Karelia’s Lake Syamozero that claimed the lives of 14 children, Spokesman for the Russian Investigations Committee Vladimir Markin told TASS on Sunday.
"As of now, four suspects have been detained: director of Park Hotel Syamozero Elena Reshetova, her deputy Vadim Vinogradov and instructors Regina Ivanova and Lyudmila Vasilyeva," he said.
"It is obvious for investigators that the instructors who accompanied the children on cruise are responsible for their safety. The children’s lives and health depended on their actions. Reshetova and VInogradov were personally responsible for the organization children’s vacations. That is why these people were among the first to be detained," Markin said.
According to the spokesman, Russia’s emergencies ministry had warned beforehand about torrential rains and possible thunderstorms in most of Karelia’s districts. "Investigators will find out whether the instructors knew about the weather forecasts and why before sailing off they did not take into account the weather conditions," he added.
Investigator continue efforts to establish all circumstances of the accident. "Those who was involved in the organization of this trip are strongly recommended to show up before investigators. If any of the so-called organizers think they could be spared from investigative actions, they are mistaken. All those who have anything to do with the accident will be established and brought to criminal liability," he warned.
According to preliminary data, forty-seven children vacationing at the Park Hotel Syamozero children’s camp accompanied by four adult instructors ran into a gale while rafting on three boats in Lake Syamozero in Karelia, northwestern Russia. The boats overturned and sank. Fourteen children drowned. All the adults survived.
Russia’s Investigations Committee opened a criminal case over the accident.
June 20 has been declared a day of mourning in Karelia.