Yesterday Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the cleanup effort in the aftermath of the Raspadskaya coalmine accident. Explosions on May 9 killed 67 people with 23 people still listed as missing.
It was reported to Mr Putin that the fire in the mine had finally been extinguished and that it would take at least two months to pump all the water from the mine. The prime minister offered assurances that the investigation would last "until it becomes absolutely clear what the reason for the tragedy was."
Aid for the accident victims was emphasized at the meeting. The prime minister issued a directive to see to it that all the promises of the government are fulfilled. One of the widows complained that she had been denied compensation because her marriage had not been formally registered.
"This approach is wrong," Mr Putin was indignant. "It shall be considered a valid family if it is a fact that people lived and kept their house together."
By Nigina Beroeva