Utility workers in Nalchik are under investigation after an incident involving a pensioner.

A criminal case has been opened against employees of the Nalchik Vodokanal following an incident on Pushkin Street, where an elderly woman fell into an open manhole.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," an elderly resident of Nalchik fell into an open manhole on Pushkin Street on the evening of March 5th. The pensioner was hospitalized with injuries, including fractures. According to investigators, the manhole was covered with debris.

Investigators have determined that a sewer manhole near house No. 93 on Pushkin Street in Nalchik remained open for a long time. Employees of the municipal enterprise "Nalchik Vodokanal" were obligated to replace the manhole cover.

The pensioner who fell into a manhole on the evening of March 5 could not have noticed the danger: in addition to the fact that the incident occurred at night, the manhole itself was covered with debris, the Investigative Committee noted. The victim, 73, suffered multiple fractures as a result of the fall.

The case is being investigated under the article on providing services that do not meet safety requirements, resulting in grievous bodily harm (Part 2 of Article 238 of the Russian Criminal Code). This article carries a sentence of up to six years in prison or up to five years of forced labor.