On Sunday afternoon, the four storey Winter Cherry leisure centre in the Siberian city of Kemerovo went up in flames, claiming the lives of al least 64 people, including 41 children.
The mall, which contained shops and cinemas, were filled with families enjoying the school holiday when the centre filled up with smoke. Reports suggest that fire alarms were switched off and exits were blocked within the mall. Officials have blamed “criminal negligence” for the tragedy. Around 100 people were evacuated from the mall, though many were still trapped by the raging fire.
Thousands of Russians gathered in Kemerovo’s central square on March 27, calling for the resignation of regional Governor Aman Tuleyev, who asked President Vladimir Putin for forgiveness but refused to apologize to his constituents.