Death Toll Rises to 125 in Fuel Depot Explosion at Nagorno-Karabakh

Death Toll Rises to 125 in Fuel Depot Explosion at Nagorno-Karabakh

The Nagorno-Karabakh region, recently rocked by military conflict, has witnessed yet another disaster. A fuel depot explosion has reportedly resulted in 125 fatalities, marking a substantial increase from the initial figure of 20 reported by the Karabakh authorities.

The incident occurred amidst the mass exodus of ethnic Armenians from the enclave after their forces were defeated by Azerbaijan forces in a swift military operation. Bodies of deceased individuals from near Stepanakert, the capital of Karabakh, have been transported to Armenia.

The Humanitarian Response

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported that the explosion led to hundreds of burn victims. In response, the ICRC is currently providing medical aid to the injured and also evacuating some people via ambulance. However, the organization is facing significant challenges due to fully occupied hospitals and traffic congestion.

As per the Armenian government, approximately 28,120 of the 120,000 ethnic Armenians residing in Nagorno-Karabakh had relocated to Armenia as of Tuesday. This mass exodus, along with rising fatalities, underscores the escalating crisis in the region. The fuel depot explosion has further compounded the humanitarian challenges faced by the people and aid organizations.

Further Implications

The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is rapidly deteriorating, with the explosion adding to the humanitarian crisis. The mass exodus of ethnic Armenians and the increasing number of fatalities point to the escalating tension and uncertainty in the region. The full impact of these events will likely be felt in the coming weeks and months, as the region grapples with the aftermath of the military conflict and the explosion.