Interior Minister: Death toll of Kakhovka dam disaster rises to 21.

The death toll of the Kakhovka dam disaster has risen to 21, including five people killed by Russian attacks during evacuation or other emergency measures, Interior Minister reported[1] on June 20. Another 28 people are known to have been injured, including 16 liquidators of the Kakhovka dam breach, Ihor Klymenko said on Telegram. Earlier the same day, Russian shelling of Kherson killed one emergency worker and wounded eight more when they were clearing mud, according to Presidential Office head Andrii Yermak[2].

"Killing rescue workers during the liquidation of one of the largest man-made disasters is a baseness and a manifestation of fear," commented Klymenko. As of now, 595 houses in Kherson Oblast reportedly remain underwater after Russia's destruction of the dam caused massive flooding of downstream settlements along the Dnipro River. The epidemiological situation in the region is stable, with no outbreaks of infectious diseases recorded, Klymenko added.

However, he reminded residents that fishing and consuming fish caught in the affected areas was prohibited. The dam of the Russian-occupied Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant in Kherson Oblast was destroyed on June 6, sparking a humanitarian and environmental disaster[3] across southern Ukraine. According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian forces blew up the dam to prevent Ukraine's counteroffensive.

'Unity is key.' Volunteers join forces to save flood-hit Kherson Oblast

While the world was gripped by the horrendous flood that hit Ukraine's southern Kherson Oblast after Russian forces destroyed the massive Kakhovka dam over the Dnipro River on June 6, fearless volunteers and regular Ukrainians spent no time doubting they had to step up again. Many rushed directly t...

[4] Dinara Khalilova

News editor

Dinara Khalilova is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She has previously worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News.

Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master's degree in media and communication from Bournemouth University in the UK.

References

  1. ^ reported (t.me)
  2. ^ Andrii Yermak (t.me)
  3. ^ a humanitarian and environmental disaster (kyivindependent.com)
  4. ^ 'Unity is key.' Volunteers join forces to save flood-hit Kherson OblastWhile the world was gripped by the horrendous flood that hit Ukraine's southern Kherson Oblast after Russian forces destroyed the massive Kakhovka dam over the Dnipro River on June 6, fearless volunteers and regular Ukrainians spent no time doubting they had to step up again.

    Many rushed directly t... (kyivindependent.com)

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