Russia Mall Fire: Residents of Kemerovo protest against officials over disaster

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Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the scene of the shopping complex fire that killed at least 64, including dozens of children. Putin's visit came as thousands protested against those responsible for not preventing it. CGTN's Dan Ashby reports.

It's the grimmest of searches: Firefighters trying to find the remains of many of the people- burned to death. Investigators say fire alarms did not work and exits were blocked, and safety staff abandoned children. One father described the last moments of his daughter's life.

"I was talking to her on the phone. She cried: 'I'm here, dad, here.' I told her: 'Lie down on the floor and breathe. Breathe and don't die.' I cried, I was crying to my daughter, she said: 'Dad, I love you. I'm suffocating, I'm losing consciousness.'"

And that loss has sparked anger. Thousands have protested, accusing the authorities of not publishing the true death toll, and raising questions about why victims' families must sign non-disclosure documents. But authorities insist the death toll is right and they are just following procedures. Already five people have been arrested.

VLADIMIR PUTIN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT "The first emotion when hearing about the number of dead and dead children is not to cry but to wail. And then when you listen to what has been said here, speaking honestly, other emotions arise."

And those emotions were on full display. Such horrible cases themselves every year: we live in 21st century but such absurd situations happen anyway and adults and children die. Because of negligence, because of money - suddenly they are on the same line as human life.

DAN ASHBY MOSCOW Teddy bears, flowers and messages of grief are being left at places like this all over Russia. But many also come with a question: how on earth could so many people be burned to death again.

It's not the first time dozens have died in an incident like this. And that has made the calls for answers even louder. But those answers of course, will not stop the grief. Dan Ashby, CGTN, Moscow.