Berkadzor fuel depot explosion explained

Berkadzor fuel depot explosion
Timezone:UTC+4
Location:Berkadzor, Nagorno-Karabakh
Type:Explosion
Reported Deaths:218
Reported Injuries:120+
Missing:21

On 25 September 2023, at about 19:00 (UTC+4), an explosion at a fuel depot in Berkadzor near Stepanakert, in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in the deaths of at least 218 people and 120 injuries.[1] [2] [3] The explosion occurred amidst the chaotic exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, following a major military offensive launched by Azerbaijan against the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh.

Explosion

The explosion occurred during the mass exodus of thousands of ethnic Armenians from the region, following Azerbaijan's large-scale military offensive launched a week earlier against the self-declared Republic of Artsakh. Prior to the offensive, the region had been subjected to a months-long blockade by Azerbaijan, causing shortages of essential supplies, including fuel.[4] After the offensive, petrol stations became overwhelmed by the volume of people seeking to leave the region.[5] At the moment of the explosion, hundreds of people were gathered at the station.[6]

Samvel Shahramanyan, the president of the de-facto Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, said that the blast was caused by a violation of safety rules in the underground depot that was used for storage of gasoline for the local military.[7] [8]

Reactions

Following the explosion, nearly 300 people were admitted to hospitals. Local authorities requested urgent medical aid from Armenia, citing Stepanakert's local strained hospitals being unable to provide adequate care. Armenia initiated an airlift using helicopters, sending doctors to the region and evacuating injured patients to Armenia.[9] Azerbaijan also sent medical supplies.

According to Al Jazeera's correspondent in the Azerbaijani city of Horadiz, local hospitals in Azerbaijan were prepared, and negotiations began for evacuating the injured, but representatives of the Armenian residents of Nagorno-Karabakh declined the proposal.

Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the United States National Security Council, offered condolences for the victims and urged the need for humanitarian access to the region.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey expressed condolences regarding the explosion and Turkey's readiness to provide assistance.[10] [11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Число погибших при взрыве около Степанакерта превысило 200. ru. Kavkazsky Uzel. 2023-10-14. 2023-10-31.
  2. Web site: Dozens Reported Dead During Karabakh Exodus. Azatutyun Radio. 2023-10-30. 2023-10-31.
  3. Web site: Investigative Committee puts the death toll of Stepanakert fuel depot explosion at 218 . 2024-03-09 . Public Radio of Armenia . en-US.
  4. Web site: 2023-09-26 . Dozens dead in gas station explosion as Nagorno-Karabakh residents flee to Armenia . 2023-09-29 . AP News . en . 26 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926075005/https://apnews.com/article/nagorno-karabakh-explosion-armenia-azerbaijan-e882628cc8a3895ddd23fd79d333b996 . live .
  5. News: 2023-09-26 . Nagorno-Karabakh: Fuel depot blast kills 20 as refugee count rises . en-GB . BBC News . live . 2023-09-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926071551/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66921557 . 26 September 2023.
  6. Web site: Al Jazeera Staff . Death toll rises in Nagorno-Karabakh fuel depot blast as thousands flee . 2023-09-26 . . en . 26 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926130444/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/26/at-least-20-killed-in-nagorno-karabakh-fuel-depot-blast-as-thousands-flee . live .
  7. News: Khulian . Artak . 218 Confirmed Dead In Karabakh Fuel Depot Blast . 27 March 2024 . «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան . 22 December 2023.
  8. News: Шахраманян: Взрыв был на складе АО Арцаха, топливо хранили для военных действий . 27 March 2024 . news.am . 27 March 2024 . ru.
  9. News: Hovsepian . Tigran . Stepanian . Ruzanna . Zargarian . Robert . 2023-09-26 . Armenian Medics Rushed To Karabakh After Deadly Blast . hy . «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան . 2023-09-29 . 28 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928223735/https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32609874.html . live .
  10. Web site: No: 236, 27 September 2023, Press Release Regarding the Explosion at a Gas Station in Khankendi . Turkey MFA . 5 October 2023.
  11. News: Statement by Turkish Foreign Ministry regarding explosion in Khankandi: 'We are ready to provide assistance' . 5 October 2023 . Report News Agency . 27 September 2023 . en.