An anti-landing mine exploded in the Black Sea off Koblevo in the Mykolaiv region on Saturday afternoon. A husband and wife were killed, and their 16-year-old daughter was injured; another woman was taken to hospital in a serious condition. The tragedy was reported by Georgiy Reshetilov, acting head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration.
Briefly about the main points
- Two people were killed in an explosion in the waters off the coast.
- The injured 16-year-old girl will continue her treatment as an outpatient.
- Another victim is in hospital in a serious condition.
- The hazardous area was cordoned off and closed to the public.
- In August, another explosion occurred near Koblevo, resulting in one fatality and several injuries.
Among the dead are the parents of the injured girl
The victims were a 43-year-old man and his 42-year-old wife. Their daughter was injured and received medical treatment. She will now continue her treatment as an outpatient.
A 40-year-old woman was also injured. She was admitted to hospital in a serious condition.
They entered the dangerous area despite the barriers
The Regional State Administration stated that the site of the tragedy was not open to the public. The stretch of coastline had been closed off, fenced off and marked with warnings of the risk of mines; however, people crossed the barriers and entered the danger zone.
In the Mykolaiv district, the ban does not apply solely to swimming: people are also prohibited from staying or relaxing on stretches of beach that are not equipped or designated for this purpose the Black Sea coast, to go out to sea and use watercraft. The Regional State Administration emphasised that beaches may only be opened once they have been inspected by specialists and their safety has been confirmed.
There are two trained teams operating in the community recreation areas on the Tiligul Estuary — near Koblevo and on the second spit near the village of Ukrainka. This does not mean that beaches on the Black Sea have been opened.
A similar explosion had already occurred near Koblevo in August
On 7 August, an explosive device detonated in the waters near the village. A 45-year-old man was killed and two women were injured. The police have provisionally classified the incident as an accident.
The Mykolaiv District Administration advises that, if you come across a suspicious object, you should not touch it, move it or attempt to defuse it. You should walk away along the same route to a safe distance, warn others and contact the emergency services.
