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| Thursday, 27 November 2003 |
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Russia vows to improve safety after blaze kills dozens MOSCOW, Wednesday (AFP) Russia pledged to ensure the safety of foreign students after a fire at a Moscow university hostel left 36 mainly Asian and African students dead, drawing concern from China and other countries. Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov also said that an investigation was under way to determine the causes of "this tragic incident" at the Peoples' Friendship University, formerly known as Patrice Lumumba University that occurred in the early hours on Monday. Additional measures are being taken "to ensure security in the accommodation of Russian and foreign students," Ivanov said in a statement. At least 36 students from more than 20 countries including Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, India and several African countries died in Monday's tragedy. More than 180 were hospitalised and 10 of them remained in highly critical condition. Chinese media reported that three Chinese had died and that Beijing had approached Russian embassy officials urging greater attention to the safety of the large number of Chinese studying in Russia. An Angolan diplomat said that the fire, following a spate of racist incidents against African students in Russia, added to concerns for their safety. "The situation for foreigners is sometimes bad and improved security is therefore needed," Antonio Braganca, press attache at Angola's Moscow embassy told AFP, adding that two Angolan hostel residents were still missing. |
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