Criminal cases launched after water supply cutoff in Gukovo

Criminal cases have been initiated in the Rostov Region due to water supply cutoffs in the town of Gukovo. This was reported by the press service of the regional Investigative Committee.

According to investigators, a pipe supplying drinking water to Gukovo, Zverevo, and settlements in the Krasnosulinsky and Kamensky districts burst on January 16 of this year. This resulted in «a critical situation with uninterrupted water supply.»

It is noted that the emergency state of the water main was known, but no measures for timely repairs were taken. Water delivery to the population was organized with significant violations.

Criminal cases have been opened under two articles of the Russian Criminal Code: Part 1 of Article 293 (negligence) and Part 1 of Article 238 (providing services that do not meet safety requirements for the life or health of consumers).

It is reported that during the investigation, searches have been conducted, documentation seized, and expert examinations appointed.

«Necessary investigative actions are being carried out to identify specific individuals involved in the crimes,» the Investigative Committee said.

As reported by 161.RU, authorities promised to fully restore water supply to Gukovo by Monday. However, this did not happen. The day before, Rostov Region Governor Yuri Slyusar reported that water was being supplied but at reduced pressure. It does not reach the upper floors of apartment buildings.

On why the Gukovo-Gundorovsky water main became the most accident-prone in the Rostov Region, we wrote here. According to information from a 161.RU source, one of the suspects in the case concerning violations during the construction of this water main is former Rostov Region Vice-Governor Sergei Gorban.

On January 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin learned about the water cutoff situation in Gukovo. He asked Russian Minister of Construction and Housing and Utilities Irek Faizullin to report on the situation.