Major fire rages in Russia's Rostov region bordering Ukraine: over 50 people are injured

This is reported by Interfax.

The fire on the territory of Ust-Donetsky Forestry started on Monday, August 15, on an area of ​​10 hectares, and currently the burning area exceeds 250 hectares.

A group of forces numbering 527 people and 121 pieces of equipment were involved in extinguishing the fire. Aviation carried out 74 water drops with a total weight of 316 tons.

As reported by the head of the region, Vasyl Golubev, a state of emergency was declared in the region, seven residential buildings were destroyed by the fire, and 53 residents who suffered from smoke inhalation needed medical assistance. Il-76 and Be-200 aircraft, two Mi-8 helicopters, and six tractors were involved in the extinguishing.

The causes of the large fire in the Ust-Donetsky district of the Rostov region will be established as part of a criminal case.

"In order to establish all the circumstances of the event, a criminal case has been initiated under Part 1 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (negligence). Currently, the investigation is conducting an inspection of the scene of the incident, establishing the owners of the buildings affected by the fire, the damages caused to them, and the causes of the fire", it is noted.