Igor Levitin: Divers will not leave the place of shipwreck till the vessel is lifted

Divers of Ministry of emergency situations will continue operations at the place of “Bulgaria” shipwreck up to the full vessel lifting, RF Minister of transport Igor Levitin said on finishing the session of government commission for rendering help to families of the perished and suffered and assistance in liquidation of the accident circumstances. The session was held at House of RT Government.

Igor Levitin informed that preparations for lifting operations are being held at the place of shipwreck. Divers of the 40th institute of RF Ministry of defence and FGU “Podvodrechstroi” are operating. At the same time divers of Ministry of emergency situations continue searching for bodies. 114 perished have been found for now.

“We asked divers of Ministry of emergency situations to work until the vessel is lifted. They will continue examining the bottom after lifting operations. It is important not only in terms of searching operations but for defining all circumstance of the accident.
Igor Levitin stated that the lifting procedure is rather complicated and long-lasting. In accordance with data given at the session preparatory actions are being implemented at the sunk motor-boat. The 40th institute of RF Ministry of defence has developed the project and was given to FGU “Podvodrechstroi” for approval.

Water area of Kuibyshev basin, bank line and islands are being searched. RT Premier Ildar Khalikov requested chiefs of municipal formations not to slow down till the vessel would be lifted. Air forces are operating at full. For now 113 bodies have been identified at Republican bureau of forensic medical examination, 99 were given to relatives, 93 victims of the tragedy were buried. Federal migration service has already recovered 60 documents.

Compensations were paid to relatives of 12 perished people.