Opinions & Interviews

ST PETERSBURG, 28 March (BelTA) – Belarus’ Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov expressed condolences to Russians over the recent tragedy in Kemerovo, BelTA informs.

“Belarus is mourning the fire victims in Kemerovo together with you,” said Andrei Kobyakov at the 10^th meeting of the Belarus-St. Petersburg Business Cooperation Council in St. Petersburg on 28 March. “It is a terrible tragedy in which many children perished. We express out heartfelt condolences to all the people who lost their loved ones,” the Belarusian premier added.

Andrei Kobyakov stated that the president had ordered to check the safety of all crowded places in Belarus, including shopping malls, multi-purpose complexes and other facilities. “We need to do our best to avoid such tragedies in the future,” the prime minister said.

Governor of St. Petersburg Georgy Poltavchenko thanked Belarus for the support. “We greatly appreciate such a sincere attitude from Belarus,” he said.

The fire in the shopping and entertainment complex Zimnyaya Vishnya (Winter Cherry) in the Russian city of Kemerovo broke out on 25 March. The blaze killed 64 people, including 41 children, and injured 68 more. Russia declared a nationwide day of mourning on 28 March.