I REFER to the report, “64 dead in Russian shopping mall inferno” (NST, March 26), in which loss of lives was attributed to negligence.
The fire swept through the upper floors of the Kemerovo shopping centre, which included a cinema complex and children’s play area, on a Sunday afternoon.
Investigators said fire exits had been blocked, the public address system had not been switched on, the fire alarm system was not functioning and children had been locked inside cinemas.
Sadly, the staff responsible for public safety were the first ones to flee when the fire broke out, according to investigators.
The incident, classified as criminal negligence, will lead to a sad ending. Staff found guilty of negligence, or worse, will be harshly punished.
In most instances, the culprit is a risk…
