A 16-year-old girl died in Kyiv due to negligence on the part of utility workers
An incident on Valeriy Lobanovskyi Avenue ended in tragedy when 16-year-old Olena fell into a vat of boiling water.
This was reported by Novyny.LIVE.
Despite the efforts of Ukrainian and German doctors, the girl, who suffered burns over 73% of her body, passed away, as reported by her mother.
The horrific incident occurred on January 2, 2026, as a result of a massive rupture in a hot water pipe. The accident created a deep hole filled with hot water on the sidewalk, into which the minor fell due to inadequate fencing.
The victim was immediately hospitalized in critical condition in the intensive care unit of Kyiv City Children’s Clinical Hospital No. 1. Doctors diagnosed second- and third-degree burns covering nearly three-quarters of the teenager’s body.
“Second- and third-degree burns covered about 75% of her body. That same evening, Ukrainian doctors, together with colleagues from pediatric burn centers in Cologne and Zurich, held a consultation and initiated the process of medical evacuation abroad,” noted Health Minister Viktor Lyashko.
On January 4, Olena was transported by special transport to a specialized clinic in the German city of Cologne. German specialists immediately began preparations for complex surgical procedures, attempting to save the Ukrainian girl’s life.
While fighting to save the young woman’s life, law enforcement launched an investigation into the causes of the industrial accident. Investigators determined that the tragedy resulted from a gross violation of safety regulations by those responsible.
The Kyiv police have already notified the head of the district office of the municipal enterprise “Kyivteploenergo” of their suspicion.
He was the one who oversaw the emergency repair work at the site and allowed negligence that led to serious consequences.
The official has been detained under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and faces up to eight years in prison.
Investigators believe that the area of the rupture was not properly cordoned off from passersby, which caused the child to fall.
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