World
Russia: 2 officials detained over flood deaths
Posted: Jul 22, 2012 3:16 AM
Updated: Jul 22, 2012 3:18 AM
MOSCOW (AP) A Russian government agency says police have detained two officials for failing to properly warn and evacuate people in a southern region where floods earlier this month killed 171 people.
Russia's chief investigative body said Sunday the mayor of the town of Krymsk and the head of the Krymsk region received warnings about the coming rain and its possible impact, but failed to organize proper warning and evacuation of the residents.
Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have insisted the deaths were caused by an act of nature, but also admitted that the early warning system in Krymsk was inadequate.
The flooding in the Black Sea region killed 171 people after torrential rain dropped nearly a foot of water.
