16 dead and 31 missing following the destruction of the Kahovka power plant
As people struggle with the disastrous floods in Kakhovka, volunteers and authorities continue the search in the hope of finding the missing. As a result, the death toll after the destruction of the dam rises to 16, and another 31 people are missing. Many have rushed to the scene of the disaster to rescue those trapped in the flood disaster area.
Many volunteers went to the site of the Kakhovka flood disaster, not only to search, but also to deliver drinking water, food and first aid to those who decided not to evacuate from the area. Others sheltered rescued pets or donated money and goods to those affected. In addition, some 500,000 hectares of farmland are drying up due to lack of water. Villagers say they fear for their future.
"There is no more water. You see? There was eight metres of water here. It's all gone."
"I work as a technician at the pumping station. A week ago I was still pumping water. I was at work. There's a second pumping station for drinking water in our village - but can you pump water now? - No, the water is completely gone."
"There used to be water here, but now it's dry. There's no more water. They did that. Okay, pull, but you've caused such a disaster for ordinary people. Do we have guns here? No. Only angry people can do that. Otherwise, I don't know."
"Many people grow strawberries here. Water is important for everyone. There is no life here without water."
"What they've done to the dam now, everything here will die. Without water there is no life. There will be life, but I don't see any future for children here."
Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other for the destruction of the Kahovka dam. The Ukrainian side spoke of an explosion in the engine room, while the Russians claimed it had been attacked with rockets by Ukrainian armed forces.
OSINT analysts wrote that the dam may have collapsed due to previous damage and improper operation on the Russian side.
As a result of the destruction of the Kahovka dam, dozens of settlements were flooded. Volunteers involved in the evacuation said there could be hundreds of casualties.
