Hi-tech technologies have been used to track smoke plumes from forest fires burning across eastern Russia as they cross the Pacific.

The helicopter carrying 17 people lurched on its side on takeoff, with 5 described as being in a 'grave' condition.

All residents 'safely evacuated' as the tower was engulfed in flames.

Pro-Kremlin eco-groups echo Greenpeace concerns by highlighting burning of forests which do not appear in government reports.

Greenpeace claim authorities underestimate the scale of destruction, amid warnings of lack of resources to fight fires. 

Head of shelter alleges 'arson', while fire chiefs claim bad wiring was to blame. 

Crane driver hits high voltage cable and dies on the spot.

Charred corpses removed from wreckage in Kemerovo with evidence that victims were trapped inside by locked fire doors.

Premier Dmitry Medvedev launches inquiry into the tragedy which leaves almost 600 injured. 

The child victims were aged between 18 months and seven years and perished in a wooden one-storey house in Yelovoye village in Krasnoyarsk region.