Moscow, March 28, 2018
Photo: www.kremlin.ru President Vladimir Putin declared a day of mourning in Russia today, Tuesday, March 28, in honor of the victims who perished in a shopping mall fire in the Siberian city of Kemerovo on Sunday, reports the president’s official website.
The text of the president’s decree, signed yesterday, is as follows:
As a result of a fire that that occurred March 25, 2018 in the city of Kemerovo in the Kemerovo Province, there are numerous casualties.
Expressing sorrow for the victims and condolences for their family and friends, I decree:
1. To declare March 28, 2018 a day of mourning in the Russian Federation.
2. To fly the national flag of the Russian Federation at half-staff on all territories of the country on the day of mourning.
3. To request cultural institutions and broadcasting companies to cancel entertainment events and broadcast programs on the day of mourning.
4. The government of the Russian Federation together with the state authorities of the territories of the Russian Federation should take the necessary measures to provide aid to the families of the dead and injured.
5. This decree enters into force from the date of its signing.
President Vladimir Putin also offered his condolences to the family and friends of the victims, and has begun visiting the injured who are recovering in hospitals. Arriving in Kemerovo yesterday, he immediately went to the site of the burn-out shopping center, laying flowers at the spontaneously-arising memorial to the victims. He then went to the regional emergency hospital to meet with victims.
Panikhidas were also to be offered for the victims in all parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church today.
The tragedy in the Winter Cherry shopping center began at about 5:00 PM on Sunday. The blaze claimed the lives of 64 people, including 41 children, with another 44 injured and as many as 85 people are still missing, according to relatives. The search operation is still underway.
