1961 Kurenivka mudslide in Kiev

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On March 13, 1961, a large scale mudslide with numerous fatalities happened in Ukraine's capital city of Kiev (Kyiv) (then part of the Soviet Union).

The dam securing the loam pulp dump of a brick factory near Babi Yar failed after a rain, releasing large volumes of pulp downwards the high steep hill along the modern Olena Teliha Street. The slide immediately hit the cottage-type residential area, the Krasin Tram Depot, several industries and a cemetery in the lower-located Kurenivka neighborhood, as well as road vehicles on its way. Estimated number of victims varies from 1,500 to 2,000, but only 146 people were officially recognized as such.

Recovery operation continued for days, but no official notification of the tragedy has been published by the Soviet authorities. No public remembrance activities were allowed.

As result of the subsequent investigation, several construction engineers and managers responsible for dam's design and maintenance were accused of criminal negligence and convicted.