Mr Shoigu told Mr Putin that seismic activity in South Siberia was not subsiding and more than 140 shocks had been registered in the preceding several days. The calamity was made all the worse by landslides and sloughing, and many roads had been damaged.
Rescue operations involved more than a thousand workers and 150 vehicles. Auxiliary aviation and local forces were operating. Food, tents and portable stoves for 5,000 had been delivered to the calamity-stricken zone.
Damage done to the Altai Republic by a series of earthquakes was estimated at a billion roubles.
The President ordered Mr Shoigu to go to the quake area.