Investigators Charge Sunken Russian Oil Rig's Bosses

© RIA Novosti . Alexey Kudenko / Go to the mediabankInvestigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin
Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin - Sputnik International
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Russian investigators have pressed charges against two managers of an oil rig that sank in the Sea of Okhotsk in December 2011, killing 53 people, an Investigative Committee spokesman said on Thursday.

MOSCOW, June 27 (RIA Novosti) – Russian investigators have pressed charges against two managers of an oil rig that sank in the Sea of Okhotsk in December 2011, killing 53 people, an Investigative Committee spokesman said on Thursday.

Charges were brought against the managers of Arktikmorneftegazrazvedka, the owner of the Kolskaya oil rig that capsized and sank on December 18, 2011 some 200 km (125 miles) off Russia's Sakhalin Island after being towed in a severe storm. Only 14 of the 67 onboard were rescued in the incident, the worst disaster ever to hit Russia's offshore oil industry.

The managers are accused of violating marine transport rules causing the deaths by negligence of more than two people. The accused face prison terms if convicted.

“The idleness of these executives, and their negligence of their duties triggered tragic consequences,” spokesman Vladimir Markin said.

“A squall wind 25 meters per second and waves 4-5 meters high increased the platform’s list and led to its inevitable sinking,” he said.

Updated at 3:45 p.m. adding that the disaster was worst ever for offshore industry in Russia

 

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