Nizhny Tagil court convicts those responsible for gas blast in apartment building that killed 11 people

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In Nizhny Tagil, a court has delivered its verdict in the criminal case concerning a gas explosion in a five-story residential building that resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including six children. On trial were three employees of the gas service and the owner of the apartment where the leak occurred.

Two plumbers and a gas service supervisor were each sentenced to six years in prison. The apartment owner received a three-year restriction of freedom.

In addition to criminal penalties, the court determined the amount of monetary compensation. The company responsible for maintaining the gas equipment was ordered to pay over 2.7 million rubles ($30,000), while the apartment owner was fined more than 900,000 rubles ($10,000).

The tragedy took place on August 1, 2024. The gas explosion caused the collapse of two entrances of the five-story building. Another 12 people were injured, and the total material damage exceeded 230 million rubles ($2.5 million).

According to the case materials, the cause of the incident was a gas leak. During renovations, the apartment owner concealed the gas hose inside a wall, making it inaccessible for inspection.