Estimated Damage from Crimean Bridge Fire Ranges from 200 to 500 Million Rubles
The All-Russian Union of Insurers has assessed the damage to the Crimean Bridge caused by a fire. According to "Kommersant," preliminary estimates place the damage at 200 to 500 million rubles, approximately 8 million USD.
The Ministry of Transport reported that an assessment of the damages and the timeline for the bridge's restoration will begin once the operational headquarters' work at the site is completed.
It is noted that today a cargo train loaded with fuel caught fire on the Crimean Bridge. According to the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, the fire was preceded by an explosion of a truck. The fire caused part of the bridge to collapse. Authorities in Crimea have confirmed that there are no injuries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed to establish a governmental commission to investigate the cause of the fire and to address its consequences. The commission will include leaders from Krasnodar and Crimea as well as representatives of law enforcement agencies.
The Crimean Bridge is the longest in Russia, stretching 19 kilometers. The road section was opened for use in May 2018, while the first trains ran on its railway section in December 2019.