According to the investigation, on the morning of August 5, 2021, during a routine check of the fire extinguishing system in the building of the Yanka Kupala capital museum, carbon dioxide was released, writes the press service of the Investigative Committee.

The storage room in the museum is equipped with a gas fire extinguisher.

"On that day, a 34-year-old engineer of control and measuring devices and automation arrived to check the equipment.

Demonstrating carelessness and imprudence during the inspection of the equipment, the man started the installation of the fire extinguishing agent.

Hearing the sound of the launch, the accused ran out of the building, warning the museum employees about the threat of carbon dioxide distribution," the Investigative Committee said.

During the evacuation, a 67-year-old head of one of the departments was found on the floor of the basement, who was unconscious at the time.

The medics who arrived at the scene, after resuscitation measures, declared his death.

The investigators established that the engineer violated safety measures when handling the installation.

A broken safety check and a raised lever led to the release of dangerous gas.

An employee of the museum died as a result of acute carbon dioxide poisoning.

The SC noted that "wanting to avoid responsibility, the accused gave contradictory and inconsistent statements", but after collecting the evidence, the investigators established the true circumstances of the incident.

The actions of the 34-year-old engineer were classified under Part 1 of Article 144 (causing death by negligence) of the Criminal Code of Belarus.

In relation to him, a measure of restraint was applied in the form of a personal guarantee.

The release of carbon dioxide occurred on August 5, 2021, during the inspection of the gas fire extinguishing system on the basement floor of the Yanka Kupala museum building in Minsk.

The reason was a violation of the rules of security technology.

A 67-year-old museum employee died on the spot.

On that day, two employees came to the museum for inspection: a 33-year-old engineer and a 34-year-old head of the maintenance department.

Initially, both were recognized as suspects in violation of official instructions and requirements of regulatory and technical documentation.