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Death toll from wildfires in Russia’s Urals hits 21, authorities suspect arson

09 May 2023 19:53 (UTC +04:00)

The death toll rose to 21 in a series of fires raging in Russia’s Urals region on Tuesday, some resulting from suspected arson, and medical officials warned the tally was likely to increase, APA reports citing Reuters.

The emergencies ministry in Kurgan region near the border with Kazakhstan said 46 suspects had been identified and seven criminal cases had been initiated against alleged arsonists.

Some of the suspects were minors, it said. The motives of the suspected arsonists were not clear.

Wildfires have long plagued Russia’s forests and steppes during hotter months, but have grown in intensity in recent years. The 2021 fire season was Russia's largest ever, with 18.8 million hectares of forest destroyed, according to Greenpeace Russia. Last year, wildfire smoke blew hundreds of miles to Moscow, choking city residents.

Fires began in late April in the Kurgan and neighbouring Tyumen regions. Russian Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov flew to Kurgan on Monday as the blazes continued to spread.