Heat system repairs under way in Russia

KHOVU-AKSY, Russia, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- More than 1,500 people have been employed to repair a heat supply station breakdown in Russia's Tuva region, officials said Saturday.

The breakdown forced the evacuation of 3,000 people from the settlement of Khovu-Aksy, ITAR-Tass reported.

Investigators said the breakdown happened Dec. 20, due to defects in the station's steam boilers.

Heat and hot water was halted to 103 buildings in Khovu-Aksy, where more than 3,000 people, including about 1,500 children, live.