Putin declares mourning over Kemerovo tragedy

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree declaring a day of mourning on March 28 over the Kemerovo shopping mall fire, the Kremlin press service said.

The president conveyed his condolences to the families and friends of the fire victims and ordered that on the day of mourning flags fly at half mast across the country, while cultural institutions, television and radio broadcasters cancel entertaining events and programs.

The Kemerovo region will observe three days of mourning starting March 27 for the victims of a shopping mall fire. The corresponding order was signed by the governor Aman Tuleyev.

"On the days of mourning, the state flags of the Russian Federation and the flags of the region will be lowered on the whole territory of the Kemerovo region," the regional administration said in a statement.

The statement added that all institutions, organizations and TV and radio companies are recommended to cancel recreational activities.

The mourning was also declared in Ryazan region. Kaluga region, Bryansk region, Primorsky Krai, Yakutsk and Ingushetia.