Strong winds kill three in Russia
At least three people were killed when strong winds swept through a central Siberian region, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported today.
Winds with gusts nearing 70mph blew through the city of Irkutsk and regions surrounding Lake Baikal on Friday evening, downing power lines, ripping up trees and toppling billboards, ITAR-Tass reported.
Two people were killed by falling trees in Irkutsk and the nearby city of Angarsk. One person drowned in the Angar River when strong winds capsized the boat he was in, ITAR-Tass reported.
Several dozen people were hospitalised throughout the region.
Thousands were left with power and drinking water for at least several hours in Irkutsk and outlying regions, ITAR-Tass reported.
Irkutsk is about 2,600 miles east of Moscow.
