Separatist authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh said at least 68 people were killed after an explosion rocked a fuel depot as thousands of people fled the region and headed for Armenia.
The explosion occurred late Monday night in the capital of the region known as Stepanakert by Armenia and Khankendi by Azerbaijan. According to authorities, at least 290 people were hospitalized.
The UN refugee agency said Tuesday that the Armenian government reported that around 19,000 people had fled Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh since September 23, after Azerbaijan launched an operation to seize control of the area.
US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power visits a camp for refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh in the city of Kronidzor, Armenia. He said, “The US will continue to support the Republic of Armenia, local authorities, local volunteers who demonstrated extraordinary generosity and solidarity with ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.”
The US will also send aid to Nagorno-Karabakh, including clothing and hygiene equipment, the White House said, Tuesday (26/9).
Nagorno-Karabakh is entirely within Azerbaijani territory but this area was under ethnic Armenian control since 1994, until some areas there were recaptured by Azerbaijan in the 2020 war. (uh/lt)
