MOSCOW, July 9 - RAPSI. Investigators are interrogating officials at the Yugvodkanal water supply and drainage company and seizing documents in the aftermath of the flood in Russia's southern region of Kuban (Krasnodar Territory), the Investigative Committee reports on Monday.

"The water reservoir is being further inspected from the air, Yugvodkanal (a company within Evraziyskiy Group) officials are being interrogated and the technological documents have been seized," the committee said. "The territory's hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring center has provided information on storm alerts issued between July 5 and 7 and employee orders and the center's operating regulations have been seized."

The Krasnodar Territory has been hit by a devastating flood on the night of July 7-8. Officials say at least 171 people died and over 5,000 houses were submerged. Many of the dead were elderly people or handicapped. Seventeen people were ruled missing as of Monday afternoon. A state of emergency has been declared in the flood areas.