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As many as 20 people died in a fuel depot explosion amid the exodus of Nagorno-Karabakh residents. Photo/BBC
STEPANAKERT – An explosion rocked the fuel depot in Nagorno-Karabakh killed 20 people and injured hundreds more. This was revealed by the authorities Armenia local.
Reporting from the BBC, Tuesday (26/9/2023), almost 300 people were hospitalized and dozens of them were still in critical condition.
This comes as the Armenian government says 13,350 refugees have crossed into the country from the enclave.
The disputed region of Azerbaijan is home to the majority of around 120,000 ethnic Armenians.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion Monday evening near the main city of Khankendi, known to Armenians as Stepanakert.
Gas stations were overwhelmed as thousands of people tried to leave the region, which was already experiencing fuel shortages after a months-long blockade.
In a statement on Tuesday, local officials said 13 unidentified bodies were found at the blast site and seven others died in hospital.
They said doctors worked in difficult and cramped conditions to save lives and treat 290 patients with varying degrees of burns.
“The health condition of the majority of people is very serious or very serious. Medical capacity in Nagorno-Karabakh is insufficient,” wrote Human Rights Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan on social media.
Armenia’s Health Ministry said it was sending helicopters to evacuate patients from overwhelmed hospitals in the region. Azerbaijan also said it had sent medical supplies.
