Explosion Rocks Oil Depot in Nagorno-Karabakh, Causing Fatalities and Massive Evacuation
In a tragic incident on September 26, 2023, an oil depot in Stepanakert, the main city in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, exploded, leading to the loss of 20 lives and leaving nearly 300 individuals injured. The explosion triggered a rush among the local Armenian population to evacuate, as pervasive fears of genocide loomed large.
According to reports by international news agencies, the blast occurred against the backdrop of the longstanding territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh area. As a consequence of Armenian separatist forces yielding to the Azerbaijani army and agreeing to a ceasefire, the Azerbaijani government promptly dispatched troops to the disputed region, instigating the apprehension of elimination among the Armenian community residing in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The explosion at the oil storage unit took place during the evening of Monday, September 25, 2023. Regrettably, 20 lives were claimed, with 13 fatalities occurring on site and seven succumbing to their injuries in hospital. The count of casualties stands close to 300, with a majority suffering severe injuries and remaining in critical condition.
Allegedly, the devastating incident unfolded while numerous Armenians were at gas stations, preparing to refuel their vehicles. In a bid to escape the vulnerable Nagorno-Karabakh area, many had embarked on evacuation measures. The cause of the oil depot explosion remains unknown, but its dire consequences, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries, have cast a somber shadow over the region.
The Nagorno-Karabakh region has long been mired in a territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia. While internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, the area is predominantly inhabited by Armenians. The latest escalation occurred on September 12, 2023, when military forces from both sides launched an attack. Eventually, a ceasefire mediated by Russia brought an end to the conflict, with Azerbaijan claiming a victory in the latest battle. These developments intensified concerns among Armenians in the disputed region, provoking a gradual exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh, driven by fears of genocide.
Key Points:
- An explosion at an oil depot in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, led to 20 fatalities and almost 300 injuries.
- Amidst fears of genocide following Armenian separatist forces’ surrender, over 10,000 Armenians are evacuating the region.
- Local authorities reported 13 immediate deaths and seven fatalities in hospitals, with the majority of casualties left in critical condition.
- The cause of the explosion remains unknown, affecting Armenians who were present at gas stations for refueling purposes.
- Nagorno-Karabakh has witnessed long-standing dispute with Azerbaijan, recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan, but primarily populated by Armenians.
- The recent ceasefire, arranged with Russian mediation, resulted in Azerbaijani victory, prompting heightened concerns of genocide and subsequent migration from the area.
Source: BBC, AP
An oil depot exploded in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Disputed Azerbaijan-Armenia As a result, 20 people were killed and nearly 300 injured as Armenians in the area rushed to evacuate, fearing genocide.
Foreign news agencies reported on September 26, 2023 that there was an explosion at an oil depot in Stepanakert. The main city in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan As a result, 20 people have been killed and nearly 300 injured, while more than 10,000 Armenians are moving from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Amid fears of elimination by the Azerbaijani government after Armenian separatist forces in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region surrendered and agreed to a ceasefire with the Azerbaijani army which has sent troops to the disputed area since last week
In a statement, the local authorities of Armenia said that the oil storage explosion occurred on the evening of Monday, September 25, 2023, local time. As a result, a total of 20 people died, 13 of them died on the spot and seven died in hospital. The number of casualties is almost 300, with the majority of them seriously injured. and is in critical condition
The explosion reportedly occurred while many Armenians were preparing to refuel their cars at gas stations. To evacuate and travel out of the Nagorno-Karabakh area, and currently there is no report of the cause of this oil depot explosion. Until causing many deaths and injuries.
Azerbaijan and Armenia There has been a dispute for a while. Because of the struggle for the Nagorno-Karabakh area which is a territory of Azerbaijan And the area is recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan. But the majority of people in Nagorno-Karabakh are Armenian.
The latest spark of tensions erupted on September 12, 2023, after soldiers from both countries launched an attack on each other. before concluding with a ceasefire agreement With Russia as a mediator in the negotiations, however, Azerbaijan announced victory in the latest battle last week. This has caused Armenians in the disputed region to worry about genocide. Therefore, they gradually migrated out of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Source: BBC, AP
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