Teams of Swedish divers have surveyed the wreck inside and out to determine whether it could be raised or whether it would be possible to remove the bodies of more than 800 victims that are estimated to be entombed there.
Although they had refused to divulge any information about bodies, a maritime official reportedly told victims' families during a meeting Wednesday that divers had counted 130 bodies in the flooded corridors, said the newspaper Uppsala Nya Tidning.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.