‘He didn’t even see his grandchildren’: Families identify Kopeysk plant explosion victims
The identification of victims from the Kopeysk plant explosion is being conducted at the forensic bureau on Varnenskaya Street in Chelyabinsk.
On Friday, October 24, the identification of victims from the explosion at the plant in Kopeysk began at the Chelyabinsk Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination. Relatives were brought on two buses. Two brothers told a 74.RU correspondent that they are looking for their father, whose shift was ending at the time of the emergency.
23-year-old Eldar and 27-year-old Rinat (names have been changed. — Ed.) still know nothing about their father, who did not return from work on the night of October 22.
«That night we were in Chelyabinsk, we didn’t hear the explosions. Mom was in Kopeysk, she woke up at night and realized that dad’s shift had ended long ago, but he hadn’t come home,» — says Rinat. — «Closer to morning, a local police officer called her, asked if father was home, if he had even gone to work. And since then we haven’t known anything more about him.»
Families had to wait outside in queues as not all were allowed to enter the identification process at once.
The brothers, together with their mother, were summoned to the Investigative Committee, where DNA samples were taken from them, and they were asked if their father had any distinguishing features.
«Then we posted on social media that we are looking for our dad. Many people did the same. And what else is there to do? Nothing is clear. The plant can’t say anything, we call there every hour, ask if anything is known about the person. And they tell us: “Wait until Monday.” But how can we wait?» — Rinat wonders. — «We have the right to know. I asked to go out and search myself, because I have experience working in the fire department, but I wasn’t allowed.»
The brothers say that their dad is 55 years old, he has been working at the plant for four years. Before that, he worked for more than 30 years at other factories.
«He really wanted to get into this plant. Everyone speaks positively about him [the father]. He had little left to work until retirement — because of the hazardous production. Although he is still young, he didn’t even see his grandchildren,» — Rinat sighs sadly.
Several families continue to lack any updates on the whereabouts of their missing relatives after the explosion.
The brothers, together with their mother, came for the identification on Friday, but did not see their father:
«He’s not there, there’s still a chance.»
Recall that on the night of October 22, explosions occurred at the enterprise in Kopeysk. It is known about 12 deaths, the whereabouts of 11 employees of the enterprise are being clarified. 29 people are receiving medical assistance: of them, 6 are hospitalized, 5 in serious condition.
The clearing of debris continues, the Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case under Part 3 of Article 217 of the Russian Criminal Code (violation of industrial safety requirements for hazardous production facilities, resulting in the death of two or more persons through negligence).
Governor Alexey Teksler declared October 24 a day of mourning in the Chelyabinsk Region. The families of those killed in the explosion in Kopeysk will receive 10 million rubles (approximately $100,000 at current rates) from the enterprise. All information about the emergency is collected in our online report.
