Russian governor resigns after shopping mall fire kills 64
The longtime governor of the Kemerovo region has resigned after a fire at a shopping mall killed 64 people, including 41 children.
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Aman Tuleyev, governor of Kemerovo region, has just resigned. Photo:Sputnik. |
"I have submitted my resignation letter to the President of Russia,"AFPquoted Aman Tuleyev as saying in a three-minute video released by his office today. Mr Tuleyev, 73, who has led the region since 1997, said he could not stay in office “with such a burden” and that stepping down was “the only right choice”.
At least 64 people, including 41 children, were killed when a massive fire ripped through a shopping mall in the industrial city of Kemerovo in western Siberia on March 25. Several parents lost all their children in the tragedy that shocked Russia.
Many relatives of the victims said they died because of the firefighters' inaction.and the police lack the necessary equipment and skills.Tuleyev was also heavily criticized for not visiting the scene of the tragedy in the first days or meeting angry relatives.
Officials said there were multiple safety violations, fire alarms were not working and staff did not follow standard emergency procedures.
