OREANDA-NEWS. December 8, 2009. On the night that the nightclub tragedy occurred, President Medvedev commissioned the Prosecutor General to conduct an investigation. According to recent reports, the death toll from the fire now stands at 118 people, and 105 people remain in hospital.

Yury Chaika reported to the President concerning regulation violations that were detected during the inspection of the nightclub facilities, primarily violations concerning fire safety.

Mr Medvedev instructed the Prosecutor General's Office to conduct a thorough examination, to investigate everyone linked to this tragedy, including the building owners, tenants, organisers of the show and those involved in local and federal regulatory and supervisory bodies. He also asked for information concerning the responsibility of these individuals and what legal measures could be taken.

Otherwise, the President emphasised, this loss of life in fires and on the roads will continue unabated. Those responsible must be brought to justice – criminal, administrative and civil justice. Dmitry Medvedev emphasised that if this problem is not urgently dealt with it will be impossible to prevent this sort of accident from recurring.