In the Murmansk region, two people died during a night race in the mountains. What is known

Two people were killed and another injured during a night ultramarathon in the Murmansk region. The competitions were held in the Khibiny Mountains in bad weather conditions. A rescue operation was announced to evacuate the participants. A criminal case has been opened, in which the organizer of the races was detained. What is known about the tragedy is in the Izvestia article.

How did the competition go?

• On the night of July 5-6, extreme ultramarathon running competitions were held in the Murmansk region, in the vicinity of Kirovsk and Apatit. The event "Khibiny Sportfest", organized by the Moscow company RRUNS, took place for the sixth time. The participants of the trail competed in night races in the Khibiny mountain range, including at distances of 46, 68 and 108 km.

• At about 1:30 a.m. Moscow time, the organizers of the races reported the departure of several participants and their further evacuation from food points. Half an hour later, the runners reported an extreme weather situation on the only pass. After that, the organizers received a message that one participant had become ill at Lake Maly Woodyavr, and doctors were sent to him.

• At 4 a.m. Moscow time, the organizers closed the race on the 79th km of the distance and announced the evacuation of all arrivals. Emergency services were notified, and volunteers with warm clothes and hot meals were sent to the food points. All scheduled races and events were cancelled as the morning progressed. By 10:48 Moscow time, not a single participant remained on the routes.

Who got hurt

• After the competition, the participants complained about the terrible weather conditions. Sleet fell in the mountains, the temperature dropped below zero, and the wind rose to 20 m/s. Many runners were not ready for such an environment and did not stock up on warm clothes, despite the fact that on July 4, the organizers said that "no one expects the weather to clear up," and urged them to keep warm.

• On July 5, the 15-kilometer race was canceled, and its participants were invited to apply for other distances. However, the ultramarathon races, despite concerns about the weather, began according to the planned schedule. The organizers simplified the routes, reducing the climb from 3,500 m to 1,400 m, but left the pass at the distance, where the conditions were the most difficult.

• On the morning of July 6, it became known that two people died during the competition due to difficult weather conditions, and another participant was injured and hospitalized in moderate health. A rescue operation was organized, which ended on Sunday with the evacuation of all participants.

• The dead athletes turned out to be 47-year-old Muscovite Evgeny and 62-year-old resident of St. Petersburg Irina. According to the results of the forensic examination, it was established that they died of hypothermia. Another victim, a resident of Murmansk, was found to be feeling unwell and was prescribed outpatient treatment.

What will happen to the organizers

• Before the competition, the organizers required all participants to insure their lives and health against accidents. They also had to sign an agreement under which they assume all risks, and the organizers are not responsible for the life and health of marathon runners.

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• Nevertheless, after the deaths of two people, the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Murmansk region opened a criminal case under Part 3 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Provision of services that do not meet the requirements for the safety of life and health of consumers, which led to the death of two competitors"). It provides for punishment in the form of forced labor for up to five years or imprisonment for up to 10 years.

• On July 7, Artyom Dolgopolov, CEO and owner of RRUNS, was detained while investigating a criminal case. The issue of a preventive measure against him is being resolved. Investigators have seized documentation related to the competition, they are also interrogating the organizers and participants of the race, collecting and consolidating evidence.