How they searched for workers in a flooded sewer in Moscow: details of the tragedy

Violation of labor protection requirements is now considered the main cause of death of workers in the sewer in the capital. 14 people were cleaning drains when a heavy downpour began, but only 11 were able to get out of the manhole. The remaining three drowned, they were carried away by a strong stream of sewage. The bodies of the dead were found in different parts of Moscow on the night of August 8. Details about the progress of search work – in the story REN TV.

flooded sewer

The beginning of a rescue operation on Krasnodarskaya Street in Moscow: rescuers are trying to get workers out of a flooded sewer. The brigade went down there to clear the canal. At this time, a downpour fell on Moscow, water gushed into the well, and people were trapped. Hearing screams, bystanders rushed to help. One of the first on the spot was Bakhtiyor, a car wash worker.

“The hatch was opened, the guys were there, we removed the hatch, pulled out 5 people, along with the boys. And then the Ministry of Emergency Situations arrived and pulled out three more. Two from there, one from there”– says Bakhtier.

But not everyone was able to get out. The work of rescuers was complicated by weather conditions. Due to the large amount of water, the current intensified every now and then. Some victims had to be caught at other hatches.

The search for workers who have been dragged into the sewers does not stop for a minute. Rescuers broke five points, with a total length of 2700 meters. They were attended by police officers and employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Search for workers

Some workers swam more than a hundred meters underground. To stay alive in such conditions is real luck, experts say.

“Yes, definitely there should be places for service, air vents, but the speed of water movement will be very high. But even theoretically saving people was impossible”– notes construction expert Dmitry Safonov.

Of the 14 people managed to save 11. The search for three workers continued until dark. The dead were found a few kilometers from the place of emergency. All were between 20 and 23 years old.

“The investigation will identify the persons who committed the violation, as well as give a legal assessment of the actions of the contractor. The investigation continues,” – said the senior assistant to the head of the Main Investigative Committee of the TFR in Moscow, Yulia Ivanova.

Those who managed to get out of the flooded sewer are now in the hospital. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under the article “Violation of safety rules during work.” Employees of the UK will have to find out why, despite the warning from the Ministry of Emergencies, the workers were cleaning the sewer.