Friday, Mar 29 2024
All Cities
Choose Your City
'The few descriptions of Irkutsk had spoken of it as the Paris of Siberia'
0

Tens of thousands of animals burned alive in raging wildfires in TransBaikal region

By 0 and 0 and 0
24 April 2019

0

'Strong wind in TransBaikal region might worsen the situation with wildfires and lead to other negative consequences.' Picture: chita_news

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES!

The cost of the recent fires has been revealed as Vladimir Putin today visited TransBaikal to assess the damage en route to a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in Vladivostok.

Some 11,800 livestock - including at least 1,277 cattle plus 489 horses - were destroyed, many of them roasted alive or killed after suffering terrible burns, according to various reports.

Around 10,000 sheep are feared to have been lost. 

Some 120 pigs and 1,800 farm birds were burned in the wildfires. 

An outbreak of fires in the parched territory close to the borders of Mongolia and China was devastating. 

Wildfires are an annual hazard for Siberia but the carnage in this region has ruined the farms and smallholdings of many locals whose livelihoods depend on animals. 

At least 100 residential properties were burned down in fires in some 15 settlements, according to local reports. 

Dozens of other buildings were razed. Reports said that 645 people were left homeless. They have been given temporary accommodation. 

Initially the people are receiving an initial payment of 10,000 roubles - with more to follow for those who suffered property losses.

People have been promised newly built houses by 1 September. 

Dead animals


Dead animals


Dead animals


Dead animals


Heavily injured horse

Some 11,800 livestock - including at least 1,277 cattle plus 489 horses - were destroyed, many of them roasted alive or killed after suffering terrible burns. Pictures: chita_news, Ksenia Zimina

The Siberian Times here shows pictures and videos from the carnage from the remote region where a state of emergency was declared before the weekend. 

The fires were fuelled by strong winds. 

In Ust-Imalka village, more than half of the 66 residential buildings were destroyed by the fires.

Around a dozen fires were being extinguished in the region and the toll emerged in villages hit at the weekend. 

The Investigative Committee has opened criminal cases into ‘negligence’ leading to the fires and losses. 

‘Thirty four people were injured in wildfires - and eight of them, including four in a grave condition, were hospitalised,’ reported the Investigative Committee. 

‘Investigators have established that the fire destroyed two grain storage sites, 320 tonnes of bulk feed, and at least 22 agricultural vehicles.’

From above


View from above


View from above


Shara village


Shara village


Shara village


Khada-Bulak village


Khada-Bulak village


Khada-Bulak village


Chindant village


Burned down village

Wildfires are an annual hazard for Siberia but the carnage in this region has ruined the farms and smallholdings of many locals whose livelihoods depend on animals. Pictures: IC in TransBaikal region, Kirill Ponomarev, Ksenia Zimina

Districts hit by the fires were Aginsky, Duldurginsky, Zaibaikalsky, Baleisky, Borzinsky, Alexandrovo-Zavodskoy, Ononsky, Priargunsky, Olovyanninsky, and Akshinsky.

‘The losses incurred from the fires are preliminary estimated at more than 280 million rubles, said the statement.

‘Forensic investigators of the Investigative Committee have been tasked with assisting investigative authorities in the fire-stricken areas. 

‘Forensic investigators and other specialists will visit the fire scenes and examine them using forensic equipment.

‘Local residents, self-government members, officers of district administrations, and officials of agencies providing civilian security will be questioned.’

A regional government source was cited by TASS on the cause of the fires. 

’In two cases, the wildfires truly came from China and Mongolia,’ said the report.

‘The causes of two more fires were burning landfills. 

‘Two fires started because of breaks in power lines and the subsequent short circuits. 

‘In one settlement, residents threw smouldering ash from the furnace (igniting a fire).

Comments (10)

Why did it take so long to do something about i:. Why do the authorities not talk about the loss of wild animals?
Trevor Messenger, Bathgate/UK
05/08/2019 03:23
2
0
The one person who noticed that there WAS NO FUEL FOR THE FIRES was made a very astute observation. Remember, when you eliminate the impossible, whatever is left, must be the truth.
I didn't start the fire, Anarchria, freedomville
03/08/2019 02:22
0
0
This makes me feel bad when I think in my heart how much the animals have suffered before the death came. These people have nothing ...JUST NOTHING... Now wake up people and help the Trans Baikal in the name of humanity. I would give clothes and all kind what is in homes usually. THERE MUST BE SOMEBODY TO ORGANIZE THESE THINGS. jUST LIKE i SAID i BELIEVE IF IN eUROPE WOULD BE A COLLECTION AND ALSO CONCERT MONEY TO BUY MANY KIND THEY NEED. PRESIDENT PUTIN WOULD SEND A PLANE TO COLLECT EVERYTHING TO THOSE POOR PEOPLE.
Leiah Sariell, Lapland Finland
29/04/2019 03:12
2
0
This is horrific suffering and my heart breaks for every innocent person and every animal. I hope that the Forensic teams can thoroughly investigate the initial causes as well as the inferno level amplitude reached. I realize there are different theories being presented in the article however it seems very necessary to do a detailed Forensic investigation and thank you to the investigators.
Pamela K Tetarenko, United States
28/04/2019 20:11
1
0
Sad to see such suffering.
Patricia Gothard, United States
28/04/2019 03:50
4
0
From the pictures.I was wondering how the fire was fueled so far and in a mass of destruction?Was it all grassland?

That land looks like there is nothing there.
James, Alaska
26/04/2019 00:05
4
0
That is so horiffic.I feel for them people and animals.
James, Alaska
25/04/2019 01:54
6
0
@Jocelyne, in the last paragraph, which is located directly ablove the bolded and large font word "Comments", you can find the answer to your question:

"A regional government source was cited by TASS on the cause of the fires.

’In two cases, the wildfires truly came from China and Mongolia,’ said the report.

‘The causes of two more fires were burning landfills.

‘Two fires started because of breaks in power lines and the subsequent short circuits.

‘In one settlement, residents threw smouldering ash from the furnace (igniting a fire)."

What horrific and devestating fires! Those poor animals who were trapped in their paddocks and burned alive, and the poor people who lost everything when everything they owned and in some cases their livelihoods, burned to the ground.
Leia, North America
24/04/2019 20:40
7
0
How?
Abhitabh Mourya, India
24/04/2019 19:34
1
1
Terrible fires ! What happen ?
Jocelyne, FRANCE
24/04/2019 17:15
7
2
1

Add your comment

We welcome a healthy debate, but do not accept offensive or abusive comments. Please also read 'Siberian Times' Privacy Policy

Name

Town/Country

Add your comments

The views expressed in the comments above are those of our readers. 'Siberian Times' reserves the right to pre-moderate some comments.

Control code*

Type the code

* obligatory


News

Business

The Bank of Russia official exchange rates of foreign currencies
EUR99.71USD92.26GBP116.52Other...