Two injured in asphalt collapse near Orenburg college

On the morning of January 30, a ground collapse occurred on Montazhnikov Street near building No. 7B in Orenburg. City Mayor Albert Yumadilov was the first to report this, adding that there were two victims. A 56.RU correspondent visited the scene — we show where it all happened and have gathered everything known about the incident for you.

Right Opposite the College

Getting to the scene is not so easy: from the side of Avtomatiki Drive, traffic police officers are on duty, allowing only some onto Montazhnikov Street.

We reach the location — it is right opposite the College of Business Administration, Economics and Finance. Everything is cordoned off with caution tape, a patrol car is standing on the other side — this section will be closed for traffic until February 27.

The collapse — on the side of the educational institution — is right on the sidewalk. Steam is pouring from the hole, and at the moment when the incident occurred, practically nothing was visible — precisely because of this, the first victim fell into the collapse.

Witnesses told colleagues from «Ural56.Ru» that a boy fell into hot water up to his waist. He ran out on his own, they threw snow on him and brought him into warmth. And the second guy got into trouble after the area began to be cordoned off — because… he didn«t hear the shouts — possibly, he was wearing headphones. Now both students (one of them is a minor) are hospitalized in serious condition with burns.

Criminal Case

Local residents told us that previously nothing foreshadowed trouble, but there were precursors in the last few days — the area was «steaming.» Orenburg Mayor Albert Yumadilov came to the scene. He noted that the collapse occurred due to a leak in the heat networks, which belong to a private organization. T Plus (a heating utility company) employees are assisting in eliminating the consequences — they were pumping water from the thermal chamber.

As told by Vitaly Dremov, chief engineer of the Orenburg Thermal Networks of the regional branch of T Plus, 5 units of equipment and 15 people will be involved in the work: residential buildings were not affected by shutdowns, and now they are waiting for the owner of the communications on site.

In the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Orenburg Region, a criminal case has already been initiated on the fact of providing services that do not meet safety requirements (Article 238 of the Criminal Code). It has been taken under control not only by Orenburg Prosecutor Ruslan Medvedev but also by Governor Yevgeny Solntsev. The injured students will receive assistance, and after recovery, employees of the supervisory authority will help file claims for compensation for damages and accompany them in court.

Update

Footage has appeared of the hospitalization of the students — they were helped by employees of «Ufanet.» Heating workers plan to replace the pipe in a few hours. And here — about the condition of the victims.