Moscow hostel fire: Death toll climbs to eight

A fire broke out in Moscow on July 28 overnight. The fire started in the hostel on the ground floor of the apartment block.

Eight people — all of them hostel guests — were killed in the fire. Among the dead are three Russians and five people from Central Asian countries, RIA Novosti reported with reference to Moscow emergency services.

Immediately after the incident, it was reported that three people were injured, later it became known about another person was in need of medical help.

On the morning of July 29, it became known that the death toll in the hostel fire climbed to eight. The cause of the fire is yet to be established. However, it is believed that the fire stated due to short circuit.

Metal bars on the windows of the hostel prevented people from evacuating to safety on their own. Because of the bars on the windows, self-evacuation and rescue of people was impossible, Andrey Rumyantsev, acting head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in Moscow said.

The hostel was equipped with a fire alarm system, but it did not work, he added. The last check for compliance with fire safety requirements was carried out at the hostel in June 2022. Seven violations were then identified, including those related to the emergency exit.