Photo: National Police
Due to official negligence that led to fatalities, officials from the Odesa City Council and a municipal enterprise have been notified of suspicion, the National Police report.
Among those under suspicion are former Odesa mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov, two of his deputies, officials from Odesa City Council departments, as well as the director, chief, and senior engineers of a municipal enterprise unit.
On September 30, heavy rains hit the city, claiming nine lives, including a family with a child living on the ground floor of a building, where water reached a critical level within minutes, leaving no chance for escape. The city’s drainage system was unprepared for the flood. The suspects face up to eight years in prison.
The investigation, conducted by the Strategic Investigations Department in Odesa in cooperation with regional police investigators, documented the negligence. Police have conducted over 25 searches in administrative offices and residences of the suspects, seizing documents, computers, mobile phones, and notes.
The nine individuals have been charged under Part 3 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (official negligence causing death). Authorities are considering preventive measures and continue investigative actions to identify all involved parties.
