A criminal investigation has been launched into the death of a teenager near an abandoned coal mine close to the village of Sherlovaya Gora. Details emerged from official statements from the regional investigative authorities. The incident occurred on the evening of March 31, 2023, when a 16-year-old disappeared within the confines of the deserted mine site, located roughly one and a half kilometers from the village. A friend of the young man alerted authorities, prompting a rapid search operation and a coordinated response from rescue teams and police units.
Open search efforts extended into the night. Within a few hours, rescuers recovered the body from one of the mine’s wells, at a depth of about 20 meters. The discovery confirmed the disappearance as a fatal event connected to the mine site. Investigators are treating the case as a potential negligence-related death and are examining whether safety measures at the mining area met necessary standards.
Law enforcement officers have opened a criminal case under the applicable provision for negligence resulting in a person’s death. Investigators are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the site’s safety conditions and will assess whether municipal authorities overlooked essential safeguards for residents in the settlement. On-site examinations continue, with investigators planning to interview witnesses, inspect documents, and gather additional evidence as the inquiry proceeds.
In a related note, reports indicate another tragedy involving a child aged eight, who died near a coastal area along the Gulf of Finland. This separate incident is not connected to the Sherlovaya Gora case but is being noted in ongoing public safety and investigative overviews.