Explosion in Nagorno-Karabakh Leaves 20 Dead and Dozens Injured

Officials in Nagorno-Karabakh report that an explosion at a crowded gas station in the region on Tuesday left at least 20 dead and 300 injured. This explosion occurs as thousands of ethnic Armenians living in the area are fleeing to Armenia following recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenian government announced on Tuesday that since Azerbaijani forces defeated separatists who had controlled the region for about 30 years last week, over 13,500 people, or about 12% of the region's population, have fled across the borders. Residents of Nagorno-Karabakh are escaping to Armenia via the only road in the region as soon as the 10-month blockade by Azerbaijan was lifted, which had caused severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. While Azerbaijan has pledged to respect the rights of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, many residents are concerned about retaliation. The explosion occurred on Tuesday as people were queuing at a gas station outside Stepanakert, the regional capital, to fill their vehicles. The region's health department reported that 13 bodies have been found and seven others died from injuries sustained in the explosion. According to this department, 290 people were hospitalized, with many in critical condition. The cause of the explosion is still unclear, but David Babayan, assistant to the head of Nagorno-Karabakh, stated that initial information suggests it was not intentional. The Armenian Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday that victims were being transferred to Armenia by helicopter, with more flights expected. Reports indicate that Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh were also transporting victims by helicopter to Armenia. Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that hospitals in Azerbaijan are prepared to treat and assist the victims. Following the rapid military assaults by Azerbaijani forces on Nagorno-Karabakh, ethnic Armenians in the region were forced to accept a ceasefire, and negotiations regarding the status of Armenians living in the area are ongoing. Source: Associated Press