MOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. Sixteen people have been killed when a bus fell into the sea in the Krasnodar Region, the regional department of the Emergencies Ministry told TASS.
"Sixteen people have been killed in the bus crash, and 24 have been rescued," the official said. Eight out of 24 rescued people were hospitalized.
The bus has been lifted to the surface with a crane.
The bus was carrying 41 people, according to preliminary data.
"The bus was carrying 41 workers. Search operations for one person continue," the source in the regional Emergencies Ministry department said.
More than 100 people and 29 equipment units are involved in the search and rescue operations, the press service of the regional Emergencies Ministry department told TASS.
"One hundred and twelve people and 29 equipment units, including 44 rescuers and eight vehicles of the Emergencies Ministry are taking part in the search and rescue operation," the press service noted.
The bus crash was caused by brake failure, the Temryuksky District administration, where the accident occurred, reported.
"The bus was carrying workers to the site. When it was approaching the pier, its brakes failed to operate. The bus entered the pier, drove 300-400 meters along it and fell into the water," the administration said.
The bus belongs to the company that is building a pier for the Tamanneftgas oil and gas company, the Emergencies Ministry said. It was carrying shift workers. The contracting organization was building a pier belonging to Tamanneftegas, which is part of the Taman port system.
A criminal case has been launched under Article 264 ("Violation of road and vehicle operation rules") and Article 238 ("Providing services that do not comply with safety requirements") of the Russian Criminal Code.