Ministry of Emergency Situations: 129 people have died in fires since the beginning of the year.

February 4, Minsk . 129 people have died in fires in Belarus since the beginning of the year, Emergency Situations Minister Vadim Sinyavsky told reporters in response to a question from a BELTA correspondent.

The head of state inquired about the state of fire safety and how the Ministry of Emergency Situations is addressing these issues. According to the minister, the Ministry receives and processes more than 1,000 reports of fires and other emergencies daily. "Unfortunately, since the beginning of the year, we have recorded the deaths of 129 people in fires. This is a significant increase compared to previous figures," Sinyavsky said.

"Low temperatures are the main factors causing fires. Careless handling of fire accounts for 60% of fires. Heat-generating devices and overheated stoves account for approximately 20% of fires. The remaining cases are related to the operation of electrical appliances," the minister added.
He noted that the Ministry of Emergency Situations is taking proactive measures to respond to these incidents. "Furthermore, comprehensive work is being conducted in the residential sector with the population to disseminate information on fire safety and address issues related to the installation of autonomous fire alarms. We are also acknowledging instances of unfavorable situations resulting in fatalities," noted Vadim Sinyavsky. "All these issues are being addressed proactively, responsibly, and in the interests of the people."
Regarding the ongoing fire prevention efforts, the minister noted that this is a massive undertaking that affects everyone.

"This is a comprehensive task; it concerns all stakeholders. After all, the main cause is careless handling of fire (that is, the human factor), alcohol, smoking, and heating stoves," the head of the department noted.

He also emphasized the importance of the media's work in this area, which also participates in raids conducted by the Ministry of Emergency Situations to identify fire risk factors.

"Everyone should be interested here, not just the state represented by the Ministry of Emergency Situations or executive authorities , but first and foremost the people themselves. If this symbiosis works, the number of these accidents will decrease," the minister believes.

"We, in turn, will respond with due diligence to every identified violation, ensure proper oversight to eliminate these deficiencies, and conduct proactive preventative work in this regard," Vadim Sinyavsky emphasized.
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