Monday 14th has been declared a day of mourning for those who were killed in a fire in a psycho-neurological boarding school in the village of Alferovka, located in the Novokhopersk district. This was stated by a representative of the regional government.
"The governor has signed a decree declaring December 14th to be a day of mourning in the Voronezh region,’’ RIA Novosti cites a source.
All flags will be lowered in the region tomorrow. Cultural institutions and broadcasters are recommended to cancel entertainment events and programs.
Memorial services for those who were killed in the tragedy is to take place in churches of the Voronezh region, the representative of the Voronezh metropolitanate said. He pointed out that memorial services will also be held on the 9th and 40th days.
Condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin were expressed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The message was posted on the website of the head of the republic: ''We are deeply saddened by the news from the nursing home in the Voronezh region,'' President Ilham Aliyev's telegram informs.
The Azerbaijani President also expressed his sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished speedy recovery to the injured.
Patriarch of Moscow All Russia Kirill will pray for the dead and injured in the fire. He appealed to the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church and called for spiritual support for their families, his spokesman Deacon Alexander Volkov said.
"The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church prays for the repose of those killed in the fire, and expresses condolences to the leadership and people of the Voronezh region in connection with this terrible case,’’ Volkov said.
Patients in the surviving buildings will be transferred to other medical facilities by February 1st of next year, the press service of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry announced, with reference to the head of the Ministry Vladimir Puchkov. "In the near future we are planning to complete the cleaning of the building and its preservation as it continues to work as a boarding house," he explained.
Puchkov also pointed out that aviation of the Russian EMERCOM is ready to bring those injured in the fire to Moscow hospitals in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.
All institutions of the system of social protection, health and education that work round the clock are to be checked for compliance with fire safety requirements. The decision was made by the Head Office of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in the Voronezh region in cooperation with local authorities.
The cause of the fire is being determined. An operational investigative group is working at the scene. In addition, the investigators are questioning employees of the department of social protection of the Voronezh region, and members of the department of supervisory activities of the Novohopersk district.
