In Nizhny Tagil, the authorities confirmed the discovery of a second worker who lost their life due to a roof collapse linked to repair work on industrial facilities within a colony area. The finding was disclosed by Alexander Shulga, the press secretary for the Investigative Committee of the Sverdlovsk region. This confirmation comes as investigators reassess the incident and review how safety protocols were followed or overlooked during the maintenance operations.
The death has prompted officials to consider altering the charge originally filed the previous day to reflect a violation of safety requirements that led to the fatalities, in accordance with the applicable sections of the Criminal Code. The authorities are examining whether the case should be treated under a broader provision that covers death resulting from negligence during work on industrial structures. If the prosecution proceeds under this legal pathway, the violator could face a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison.
The roof collapse occurred in the afternoon hours on July 20 while repair and reinforcement activities were underway inside the metal structures assembly workshop of the breeding colony No. 5 in Nizhny Tagil. On the scene were four workers: one person died, a second was hospitalized with multiple fractures, a third was not injured, and the fourth worker remained unaccounted for until later confirmation. The emergency response teams and investigators coordinated to secure the site, recover the body, and document the sequence of events leading up to the collapse.
Following the reported death, the Sverdlovsk region Investigative Committee opened a criminal case for causing death by negligence, initiating a formal investigation designed to determine responsibility and to identify any lapses in safety practices or oversight. The case will assess whether local procedures, training, inspection regimes, and the enforcement of protective measures were properly implemented at the time of the incident.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of industrial accidents in the region, where oversight of worker safety and compliance with safety standards are critical for preventing tragic outcomes. The authorities have pledged to pursue a thorough inquiry, communicate findings clearly, and implement any recommended safeguards to prevent recurrence. The focus remains on ensuring accountability, reinforcing safety culture, and safeguarding the lives of workers across similar industrial facilities.
Two other historical notes referenced in the public discourse describe prior moments when roofing failures affected workers in nearby areas, underscoring the ongoing attention to structural integrity and labor safety across various markets and industrial sites in Russia. The investigations aim to draw lessons that can inform stricter enforcement and enhanced safety protocols in similar settings, both within the region and in neighboring jurisdictions where industrial repair work is conducted.