DUSHANBE, December 8, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon yesterday sent a telegram of condolences to his Russian counterpart, President Dmitry Medvedev, over a fatal fire in the city of Perm, according to presidential press service.

In his message, President Rahmon, in particular, noted that peoples in Tajikistan were shocked to know about the Perm tragedy that had left more than 100 dead.  Tajik leader also asked to convey condolences to families and friends to victims of the fire in Perm.

We will recall that Russia yesterday held a national day of mourning for the 113 people killed in a nightclub fire in the city of Perm.  More than 140 people were injured, some seriously, when fireworks triggered the blaze in the early hours of Saturday.  Four people, including the club''s co-owner, were charged on Monday over the blaze.  All are in police custody.

It is estimated there were more than 200 people inside the club when the fire broke out during a firework show to mark the club''s eighth anniversary.  Many of those who died were trapped in the crush as more than 200 people fought to escape the smoke and flames through one narrow exit.  The death toll climbed to 113 on Monday after a man and a young woman died in hospital, Russian officials said.  The most seriously injured victims were airlifted to specialist burns units at hospitals in Moscow, St Petersburg and other cities.  Doctors said many had more than 50% burns and some were being kept alive by artificial respirators.