The Kurenev disaster happened in Kyiv 63 years ago (historical photos)

On 13 March, Kyiv commemorates the victims of the Kurenevka disaster. In 1961, a dam broke near Babi Yar, the mudflow flooded part of Kurenevka and led to numerous victims. This was reported in the Kyiv city state administration.

13 March 1961, about 9:20 am, a mass of clay and water broke the dam in Babiy Yar and descended on Kirillovskaya Street (then Frunze Street). Public transport passengers travelling to work, tram depot workers, passers-by and residents of houses died.

Officially, 145 people were recognised as victims, although according to the research of Ukrainian historians, the real number of victims may reach 450," the report says.

It is noted that the Soviet authorities ignored the threat of the dam's destruction, although this risk was known at least several months in advance. "Panickers" who reported the possible tragedy were threatened with arrest.

After the flooding of Kurenevka in Kyiv, long-distance communication was switched off for several days.

For the first time employees of Kyivpastrans publicly honoured the memory of the victims of the disaster in 1991 - near Podolsk tram depot. Three years later, a memorial sign was unveiled there, with the names of all the victims inscribed on the stele.