The death toll from the Russian airstrike on the town of Kamyshevakha in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, carried out on November 2, has reached 31 people. Another 58 residents are listed as missing. Rescuers continue to clear the rubble, but new attacks by Russian drones are forcing search operations to be periodically suspended.
The acting head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, Mykhailo Semikin, reported this in the evening of November 3 following a meeting of the coordination headquarters.
According to regional authorities, among the dead are 20 people whose identities have not yet been established. Specialists continue to identify the bodies, and law enforcement officers are working to determine the fate of the missing.
Five more people were injured. The wounded are receiving the necessary medical care.
Semikin said that Russian troops have intensified drone attacks on the area of the rescue operation. Because of the constant air threat, specialists are forced to interrupt their work repeatedly.
Despite the difficult situation, the search and rescue operation continues. Rescuers, police, military personnel and representatives of other services are involved in clearing the aftermath of the shelling.
A special headquarters meeting was held to coordinate their actions. Participants discussed further search measures, assistance to the victims and work to identify the dead.
On November 2, Russian forces carried out a series of airstrikes on Kamyshevakha. A school used for distributing humanitarian aid to local residents came under fire.
According to Ukrainian authorities, at the time of the attack civilians were in the building, having come for food and other necessities. Among the dead are also emergency services personnel who arrived to provide assistance after the first strikes.
Earlier, the State Emergency Service confirmed the death of two rescuers. The death of four police officers was also reported.
As Suspilne reports, search operations in the town are continuing for a second day. Relatives of the missing are waiting for information about the fate of their loved ones.
A three-day mourning period has been declared in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. It will last from November 3 to 5 inclusive.
Regional authorities call the Russian strike on Kamyshevakha one of the largest tragedies in terms of civilian casualties in the region during the full-scale war.
The final consequences of the shelling are still being determined. The death toll may be updated after the completion of search operations and identification of the recovered bodies.
