Russia: Criminal investigation to be launched into Omsk barracks disaster

Vladimir Markin, the Official Representative of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, announced that his office is investigating the Omsk barracks collapse on three issues; "negligence, the violation of safety rules of construction and abuse of power," in Moscow on Monday. The rescue operation at the Omsk military training centre is still underway, after a partial collapse led to the deaths of 23 conscripts and the injury of 19 others, the youngest casualty was 18-years-old. The four-storey building collapsed at 19.52 Moscow time (16.52 GMT) on Sunday, trapping all 38 people inside. By 00.00 Moscow time, 21 servicemen were taken from the ruins and to a local hospital. Some victims were flown to Moscow for medical treatment on Monday.