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Moscow, Feb 22 (IANS/RIA Novosti) State awards will be given to people who distinguished themselves in responding to the recent meteorite strike in Russia's Chelyabinsk region, a minister has said. Civil Defence and Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov said awards will be given to individuals, local authorities, emergency response teams, firefighters, rescue workers and others who have shown "courage, dedication, professionalism and endurance under strenuous conditions". Chelyabinsk Governor Mikhail Yurevich earlier asked local residents to report instances of heroism during the meteorite strike. Windows were shattered and walls damaged by shockwaves in 7,420 buildings, mostly residential, as the meteorite streaked across the sky over Chelyabinsk Feb 15. Over 1,500 people were injured, mostly by flying glass. The total bill for the damage is estimated at 1 billion rubles ($33 million). The Chelyabinsk administration has asked the federal government to grant 500 million rubles ($17 million) to help repair damage caused by the meteorite. --IANS/RIA Novosti pm/
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