Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Ladies and gentlemen, it seems that the people living in this country have come to see disasters of all kinds as a normal part of life. And this in itself is alarming.  But what happened to the Bulgaria on July 10 shook the entire nation without exaggeration. So many victims, so many children lost their lives. It’s horrible that we have to pay so high a price for someone’s irresponsibility, carelessness, greed, and gross violation of safety rules.

I expect our law-enforcement agencies to carry out an unbiased, in-depth inquiry into the shipwreck and to adequately assess the conduct of all those in charge. I would like the Rostekhnadzor (Federal Service for the Supervision of Environment, Technology and Nuclear Management) to closely analyse the situation from its own perspective. How could the operator provide tourist and shipping services without a license? How were tickets being sold at the port? How could the port sign a contract with a company that had no license whatsoever for port operations? Where were Rostekhnadzor and Rostransnadzor (Federal Service for the Supervision of Transport)?

We should analyse the entire regulatory base for these types of activities, establish rigorous oversight of compliance and introduce harsh penalties for violations.  

Having said that, I’d like to express my thanks to the Arabella crew, which stopped to rescue passengers and fellow crewmembers of the sinking boat. I’d also like to thank the divers who continue, as we speak, their underwater search efforts, working in extremely harsh conditions.

I’m asking those in charge to ensure compliance with all the relevant safety rules. Let’s get down to work and consider what has been done so far.

And, of course, we should make sure that all decisions regarding social assistance are implemented. I know that that the republic has already started making payments from its budget, and I would like to reiterate that we have made the decision, and signed the corresponding government resolution, on allocating federal funds to those affected: the families of those who died will receive one million roubles, those who sustained severe to moderate injuries will receive 400,000 roubles and those with minor injuries, 200,000 roubles. This is all state aid. In addition, I am aware that the republic has also decided to pay 300,000 roubles to each family who lost someone and compensate various other expenses.

Of course we must do everything within our power to help all those caught up in this terrible tragedy, to make sure they don’t feel abandoned – by helping them recover and offering material aid. Children have been orphaned – we need to concern ourselves with what happens to them, support these families and stand by the children.

Let’s get to work. Transport Minister Igor Levitin has the floor.

Igor Levitin: Mr Putin, what took place at 13.58 on July 10, was a catastrophe. According to preliminary information there were 208 people on board. As of 6pm today, 79 have been rescued by that boat, the Arabella. I would like to mention that the captain and crew of this vessel took decisive action to save these people’s lives. I would also like to say that…

Vladimir Putin: We should also look into all those who passed by and did nothing. Mr Bastrykin (to Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the Investigation Committee under the Prosecutor General), please share your legal assessment of their actions. We have an article which deals with the failure to assist people in mortal danger.

Igor Levitin: As of 6pm divers have recovered 113 bodies of which the forensics team has identified 105, 16 are still missing, but the divers will work on until they have searched the whole boat. Nine of those who were rescued have been hospitalised and received all necessary medical assistance. The Emergencies Ministry and the republic’s authorities have put all the manpower and resources they have at their disposal into this: 1,254 men and 188 units of equipment.

Airborne search and rescue teams were needed, and so the republic mobilised 15 aircraft. All told, 195 divers from many different regions of Russia are currently engaged in this work: the Emergencies Ministry deployed them rapidly, practically within twenty-four hours. They have carried out over 400 dives.

I would also like to report that air and river patrols are underway. These patrols cover an approximate distance of 190 km and local fishing boats have joined the patrol boats in this work. The Emergencies Ministry is controlling the entire operation.

Two cranes are on their way here to lift the Bulgaria. The manager of Research Institute No. 40, with its considerable experience in shipwreck recovery, is here. The plan as to how the Bulgaria will be raised is to be agreed by this evening. We expect that, once it has been raised, we will be able to obtain all information about what happened for the investigation into this accident. This is very important.

Skimming oil off the surface of the water began immediately after the accident, and is still underway, water composition is being monitored in the area. A hundred psychologists have been called in, locally and Moscow. They are offering psychological help, about a thousand people have turned to them, and this work is ongoing. No one has left, they are all here. I would like to add that they are working round the clock, constantly, in cooperation with the Emergencies Ministry. There is also a helpline that anyone can call.

The region has already allocated resources. People have started to apply, and already 17 applications have come from families who have lost relatives and loved ones. The first federal funds have also come through. That’s about it, in brief. .

Vladimir Putin: Mr Minnikhanov, please go ahead.

Rustam Minnikhanov (President of the Republic of Tatarstan): Mr Prime Minister, members of the government commission, I would like to start by thanking the government of the Russian Federation, all emergency services and you personally, Mr Putin, for the urgent assistance and support the republic has been given since the first minutes after the disaster. The Emergencies Ministry and personally Mr Shoigu deserve especial gratitude for their rapid operational response to this accident, efficient round-the-clock work, and the mobilisation of experts from right across the country. The situation was immediately brought under control.

Transport Minister and government commission chairman Igor Levitin has been in contact with us day and night since the tragedy occurred. The ministry holds briefings twice a day. All necessary ground and water vessels, aircraft, special equipment and experts are available. Oil is being skimmed off the surface of the water.

We owe a special debt of gratitude to the federal Interior Ministry, as significant resources have been committed and we are working in areas where information is vital. We are also thankful to the Investigation Committee for working so efficiently, there have been no delays. The Healthcare Ministry, in particular those outstanding specialists who have been deployed here, have been a great support to us.

All federal agencies are doing everything they can to help us. We have established an emergency headquarters in the republic, and all relevant services, ministries, agencies, and commercial entities are subordinate to it. Municipal authorities are doing everything they can. Initially 827 people and 123 units of equipment were deployed in our republic.

We have arranged for the Emergencies Ministry crews on duty to have constant access to the disaster site, and for the transfer of bodies to forensics labs. We have also laid on transport for the bereaved relatives, round-the-clock catering and hotel accommodation for them. Right from the start the relevant ministries’ websites have been updated with information about the search and rescue operation and lists of the victims. We got media outlets involved in disseminating information to the general public and healthcare services have been working round-the-clock at the disaster site. There are first-aid facilities for the victims and relatives of those who died. Beds have been reserved at the Republic’s Clinical Hospital, Children’s Clinical Hospital, and central district hospitals. Nine forensic medical teams are working round the clock, and 84 qualified specialists are on site offering psychological aid – as of today they have seen over a thousand patients and over 6,000 people have called the helpline.  

The main search effort is focused on the river, its islands and the riverbanks. The population of the Spasskoye village and the Tetyushi and Kamsko-Ustyinsky districts are involved. What matters most now is to help people who have lost their relatives, and in this we are very grateful to you, Mr Putin, for the rapid decision on financial compensation.

As for our republic, we have also decided to pay compensation. Applications from the first 20 persons have been processed, then there were another 17, and the last nine families have now received their money. We will continue to work efficiently allotting both federal funds and the republic’s own resources, and we will report back regularly.

The Ministry of Social Welfare and municipal authorities in the republic are rendering comprehensive assistance in organising funerals. To date 87 bodies have been buried. We are taking all those who died into account, whether they come from Tatarstan or elsewhere. The Migration Service has arranged for the rapid replacement of lost identity documents and other paperwork, and 26 different kinds of documents have already been issued.

We will carry on with these comprehensive efforts until we have ascertained the fate of every single passenger, as the victims’ relations demand. Mr Putin, I assure you all necessary measures have been taken with regard to working with those who have suffered, with the children who have been orphaned, and that every victim’s family has been registered. Work is also ongoing with survivors. That concludes my report.

Vladimir Putin: Mr Siluanov, has the money been transferred from the Finance Ministry?

Anton Siluanov (DeputyFinance Minister): Yes, Mr Putin. The first tranche was transferred today. That is for survivors who sustained severe injuries, or who were injured in any way. As you said, they are entitled to 400,000 and 200,000 roubles, respectively. 30 million roubles were transferred to the Republic of Tatarstan towards these payments. As for the basic one million rouble payments to the families of those who died, we must draw up these lists as a matter of the utmost urgency. The Republic of Tartarstan must work in conjunction with the federal Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development, and the Emergencies Ministry in drawing up these lists rapidly, and using them to transfer reserve fund money directly to these individuals. We will keep a very close eye on this and will respond very rapidly.

Vladimir Putin: Mr Minnikhanov, how long will it take to draw up these lists?

Rustam Minnikhanov: The first list is ready. It has been passed to Mr Topilin (Deputy Minister of Healthcare and Social Development ). He will take it with him today, and everything will be done in the very near future.

Vladimir Putin: How long will it be before all these lists reach Moscow?

Rustam Minnikhanov: Two or three days, I think.

Vladimir Putin: By the end of the week?

Rustam Minnikhanov: Yes, we must draw up and submit all the lists.

Vladimir Putin: Do it before the weekend and send them to Moscow. How long will the Finance Ministry need after that to transfer the money?

Anton Siluanov: Also a day – two at the longest.

Vladimir Putin: In short, the whole sum must reach Tatarstan by the middle of next week.

Rustam Minnikhanov: Okay, we’ll do that.

Vladimir Putin: The families of those who died are to receive 1.3 million roubles: 300,000 from the republic’s budget and one million from the federal budget.