A criminal case has been launched following a mass poisoning incident aboard the Mikhail Bulgakov cruise ship, according to the Moscow Interregional Transport Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation revealed violations of sanitary and epidemiological standards on the vessel.

The probe was initiated after 49 passengers reported symptoms of poisoning. By May 28th, the number of affected individuals had decreased to 19.

The inspection, conducted on May 29th at the Northern River Station in Moscow, confirmed that the ship was operating in breach of sanitary regulations. These violations are directly linked to the illnesses reported by passengers and the subsequent need for medical assistance.

The criminal case is being pursued under Part 1 of Article 236 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which addresses violations of sanitary and epidemiological rules leading to mass illness or poisoning. The maximum penalty for this offense is two years of imprisonment.

As a consequence of the incident, Mosturflot canceled the Moscow – Uglich – Moscow and Moscow – Plyos – Moscow cruises. Affected passengers were offered the option to reschedule their trips or receive a refund. The organization has since declined further comment on the Mikhail Bulgakov situation and has disabled comments on its official community pages. Review options have also been restricted on the ship’s VKontakte group.