Criminal Case Over Maternity Ward Flood; City Underwater

Investigators in Kamensk-Uralsky have opened a criminal case for negligence after the perinatal center was flooded by heavy rains on 18 July, turning streets into rivers.

Jul 24, 2026

Heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in Kamensk-Uralsky, submerging streets and buildings.
Source:
4th Channel, Incident Kamensk-Uralsky / Telegram

In Kamensk-Uralsky, investigators from the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation (SKR) have opened a criminal case for negligence (Article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) over the situation at the perinatal center, which was flooded by heavy downpours. The rainfall hit the city on the afternoon of 18 July, turning streets into rivers. Local residents navigated the roadways on stand-up paddleboards.

Local authorities are working to clear debris and restore infrastructure after the heavy rains.
Source:
Incident Kamensk-Uralsky / Telegram

«After the emergency at the maternity hospital, several local residents called me and told me about it. I decided to file an appeal with the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. They replied that »a criminal case under Article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation has been opened on the fact of unlawful actions by officials of the State Autonomous Healthcare Institution of Sverdlovsk Oblast «Children»s City Hospital of Kamensk-Uralsky« regarding the improper maintenance of the perinatal center,»« lawyer Sergei Barsukov told E1.RU.

Residents use boats and paddleboards to navigate flooded streets in Kamensk-Uralsky.
Source:
Incident Kamensk-Uralsky / Telegram

Our interlocutor in law enforcement confirmed the existence of the criminal case. Also, according to him, prosecutors are conducting their own inspection.

Deputy Governor, Minister of Health of Sverdlovsk Oblast Tatyana Savinova commented on the situation as follows.

«Regarding Kamensk-Uralsky, there was very heavy rainfall, which unfortunately caused flooding of the perinatal center»s roof. On my orders, Ministry of Health and financial management staff will go there tomorrow morning to assess the scope of work, timelines, and necessary financial resources for restoration.

«I am also sending epidemiologists from the regional Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention to assess the sanitary-epidemiological situation inside the perinatal center and work out the possibility of setting up delivery rooms on the lower floors. We will try to make decisions on restoration as quickly as possible. Until then, women from the Kamensk-Uralsky zone will be rerouted for childbirth to maternity hospitals in Yekaterinburg. We have the situation fully under control in all areas currently experiencing adverse natural conditions. Medical care for residents of Sverdlovsk Oblast is being provided in full and without interruption,» the press service of the Ministry of Health wrote on Telegram.

The Sverdlovsk Regional Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia refrained from commenting on the matter. We requested a comment from the regional Ministry of Health«s press service regarding the criminal case information. The response will be published as soon as it is received.

Read about how residents of Kamensk-Uralsky are coping with the disaster here. They have switched to rubber boats, cars sit flooded, and courtyards have turned into ponds.

We showed how homes, roads, and gardens are flooding in Sverdlovsk Oblast. On 12 July, mass restrictions were imposed on highways, including the busy Tyumen Highway.

Read also about how the region is coping with the bad weather. The scale of the disaster in Sverdlovsk Oblast has already been reported to President Vladimir Putin. Authorities reported how they are fighting the flooding. All materials on the region going underwater are being collected in a special section.