Moscow pool roof caves in, 26 dead, hunt on for bodies

There were about 750 people when the accident occurred at the Transvaal park, in Yasenevo district, in south-western Moscow. Russian television reports said that more than 300 people were in the swimming pool when the 5,000 square metre roof caved in.

Russian Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu told mediapersons that the death toll in the accident could further rise as several people were feared buried under the debris. He said that about 17 people were still unaccounted for. According to reports, a children party was underway at the time of the accident. There were five children among those killed. Out of 110, hospitalised for various injuries included 28 children. The condition of the four were stated to be critical in city’s different hospitals.

All the Russian television stations continue to show video footages from the scene of the accident. About 1,000 rescuers are trying to find out people still trapped under the rubble.

Their tasks have been made more difficult by the temperature dipping to minus 20 degree Celsius and hot air is being pumped into rubble so that the pool may not freeze over the possible survivors. Special services have already launched an inquiry. But officials have ruled out the terrorist act as the cause of the tragedy. Moscow’s Prosecutor-General Anatoly Zuyev said that the version concerning the terrorist act in the park has not been confirmed.