You're reading: Poll: Russians believe Bulgaria sinking was caused by general negligence, irresponsibility

Moscow, August 29 (Interfax) - One-third of Russians (33%) believe that the sinking of the vessel Bulgaria was a result of "total negligence and irresponsibility," while 25% blame the tragedy on the public authorities in charge of river transport safety, the Levada Center told Interfax, citing the results of a poll conducted in 45 regions of Russia on August 19-23.

Twenty-three percent of the respondents blame the tragedy on the owners of the vessel and 7% believe responsibility rests with the captain and the crew.

A mere 2% of the respondents believe the tragedy was caused by "tragic circumstances."

The vessel Bulgaria, which was built in Czechoslovakia in 1955 (its previous name was Ukraine), sank in the Kuibyshev reservoir near the village of Syukelevo, Kamsko-Ustinsky district of Tatarstan, on July 10. The vessel was carrying 201 people, of which only 79 were rescued. A total of 122 people, including 28 children, were killed.

Several criminal cases have been opened on the basis of the sinking of the Bulgaria, including the articles of the Criminal Code dealing with traffic safety violations and violations of the rules governing the operation of water transport, the provision of tourist services not meeting safety requirements, failure to provide assistance to people aboard a vessel in distress by a captain, abuse of office and negligence.

During the investigation, the sublessee and several officials from different agencies have been arrested and several officials have lost their posts. Alexander Khramov, deputy head of the Volzhsky department of Gosmorrechnadzor, who was a witness in the case, has committed suicide.