At least 20 people were killed and more than 280 injured in the explosion of a fuel depot in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, inhabited by Armenians but belonging to Azerbaijan, local authorities said on Tuesday.
“Unfortunately it was not possible to save the lives of seven patients, who died in hospital. Dozens of patients are still in critical condition. Thirteen unidentified bodies were taken for medical examination,” authorities said. in a press release.
Nagorno-Karabakh’s Health Ministry also said that “many people have been reported missing”, so there are fears the death toll could rise in the coming hours.
When the explosion occurred, near the fuel depot were a large number of vehicles carrying Nagorno-Karabakh residents planning to leave the enclave following last week’s military defeat by the Azerbaijani army.
More than 200 people injured in fuel depot explosion in Nagorno-Karabakh – media.#explosion #fueldepot #Gas #firework #injury #disaster pic.twitter.com/5Ml41da3AW
– Genesis Watchman Report (@ReportWatchman) September 26, 2023
At least twenty killed in explosion in Nagorno Karabai
Another 300 people were killed by the explosion in a petrol tank. According to authorities, many people were queuing there to get fuel and water from the region.
The dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia… pic.twitter.com/nrDqPRjVVy
– DW Español (@dw_espanol) September 26, 2023
The deposit is close to the road that connects the regional capital Stepanakert (Jankendi, for Azerbaijan) with the city of Askeran.
The ministry said it has sent a helicopter with a medical team, medicines and medical supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh’s capital Artsakh to help treat the injured.
Azerbaijan’s presidency said it has sent an ambulance with medical supplies to treat burns, Azerbaijani state news agency Azertag reported.
A few hours earlier, an official delegation from Azerbaijan had agreed with Armenian representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh to provide humanitarian assistance, implement health services and establish a joint working committee to restore basic services and infrastructure in the region.
On September 19, Azerbaijan announced the launch of “anti-terrorism operations” in Nagorno-Karabakh, following the deaths of four Azerbaijani police officers and two civilians following the explosion of mines laid by “Armenian saboteurs,” Baku said.
The next day, the authorities of the breakaway territory abandoned by Yerevan capitulated and a ceasefire was agreed. At least 200 people were killed and 400 injured, Armenian separatists said. and Nagorno-Karabakh faced a humanitarian emergency, with reports of shortages of electricity, gas, fuel and food.
The government of Armenia today announced that more than 13,000 people displaced by Azerbaijan’s military intervention in Nagorno-Karabakh have arrived in the country.
Source: DN
