A harrowing explosion at a busy gas station in Nagorno-Karabakh claimed 20 lives and injured nearly 300 on Tuesday, as stated by the region’s separatist authorities.
The calamity occurred amidst a massive exodus, with countless individuals frantically attempting to escape to neighbouring Armenia. Many were fueling their vehicles amidst growing fears and uncertainties.
Of those injured, many remain in critical condition. Responding to the crisis, Armenian health authorities dispatched a helicopter to evacuate some victims, with more rescue missions planned.
Hikmet Hajiyev, an Azerbaijani presidential aide, communicated through social platform X (previously Twitter) that Azerbaijani hospitals were ready to offer medical assistance to the victims. It’s unclear if any of the injured have sought help there. Additionally, Azerbaijan has sent burn-relief medications and other humanitarian supplies.
Following these events, Armenia reported that over 13,500 individuals, approximately 12% of the region’s populace, had sought refuge across their border. This mass migration comes after Azerbaijan’s recent military initiative to regain the territory after almost 30 years of separatist rule.
