The Kamchatka prosecutor’s office and the Investigative Committee (IC) opened an investigation into the incident in which two people disappeared while wading in the Pauzhetka River. writes about this RIA News.
According to the first information received from the prosecutor’s office, URAL and Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles overturned while trying to cross the Pauzhetka River. After capsizing, five people managed to get ashore on their own, while two others disappeared without leaving a trace.
The prosecutor’s office will check compliance with the requirements for the safe use of heavy equipment and towing rules in conditions of high water levels.
The Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the region added that after procedural control, a decision will be made to initiate a criminal case.
The bridge over the Pauzhetka River in the Ust-Bolsheretsky district was completely destroyed as a result of the flood on August 18, 2023. From now on, people’s transportation to the village of Pauzhetka was carried out by fords, including cars. Authorities announced that the bridge would be restored soon, but it turned out that the bridge did not belong to any organization and was built for the needs of the Pauzhetsk geothermal power plant.
On September 25, the regional governor Vladimir Solodov demanded that his subordinates quickly find funds for the construction of the bridge, including with the help of businesses operating in the region.
The village of Pauzhetka is located in the Ust-Bolsheretsky district in the south of Kamchatka. It is home to around 80 people and also operates one of two geothermal power plants in Russia.
It was before named The most hospitable region of the Russian Federation.