MOSCOW, July 1 (RAPSI) – Governmental inspection for labor conditions in the Republic of Karelia has fined the “Park-Hotel “Syamozero”, where 14 children drowned this summer, 505,000 rubles ($7,800), RAPSI learned in the inspection.

It was revealed that contracts that were signed between the “Park-Hotel” and its employees were illegitimate. No documents, confirming qualifications of the employees or absence of criminal records, were found.

Management of the “Park-Hotel” did not establish rules for internal labor regulation. Employees were not informed about labor safety measures and potential health risks. Employer did not provide employees with personal protective equipment and did not guarantee them with their vested compensations.

Although “Park-Hotel” listed 76 employees, there was no dedicated security service or a position for security specialist.

Earlier, a case was opened under the Criminal Code’s Article “Fulfillment of Works or Rendering of Services Which Do Not Meet Safety Standards” against the “Park-Hotel” executive Elena Reshetova, her deputy Vadim Vinogradov, instructors Lyudmila Vasilyeva and Regina Ivanova and Valeriy Krupodershikov.

According to investigators, on June 18 children and instructors of the children’s camp “Park-Hotel “Syamozero” were sailing on a raft and two canoes over the lake Syamozero in Karelia. 47 children were accompanied by 4 adults (Vinogradov, Krupodershchikov, Ivanova and Vasilyeva) who did not take gathering storm into account. Storm made sailing extremely dangerous: a raft with children and two adults washed up near one of the islands while both canoes were capsized, leaving passengers in the open waters.

Only some managed to swim across to the shore. According to the latest data of the Investigative Committee, 14 children drowned with 13 bodies found. Searches for the last one are in progress. Other children survived and were evacuated.