20 people die in the explosion of a fuel tank in Nagorno Karabakh

Authorities estimate the injured at almost 300, while Armenia and Azerbaijan send aid to the area

At least 20 people have died and around 300 have been injured by the explosion of a fuel tank in the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno Karabakh, taken by the Azerbaijan Army after a military operation that began on September 19 and lasted just 24 hours.

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Arsaj has indicated in a statement published on its account on the social network Facebook that "as a result of the large explosion in a fuel depot in Askeran, 290 patients with burns of varying degrees have been admitted. " in various medical centers.

"Unfortunately, the lives of seven patients could not be saved and they died in hospital," he said, before specifying that another thirteen "unrecognizable" bodies have been transferred for forensic tests.

Thus, he pointed out that "dozens of patients are in critical condition" and added that "many people are reported missing", so it is feared that the death toll could increase in the coming hours.

Following the event, the Armenian Ministry of Health indicated in a statement on its website that it has sent a helicopter with a medical team, medicines and medical supplies to the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh, to assist in care efforts. to the wounded.

For its part, the Presidency of Azerbaijan has highlighted that it has sent an ambulance with medical supplies to treat burn injuries and other material across the road between Aghdam and Jankendi to treat the victims, according to the Azerbaijani state agency. news, Azertag.

Just a few hours before, an official Azeri delegation agreed with Armenian representatives from Nagorno Karabakh on the delivery of humanitarian aid, the deployment of health services and a joint working commission to restore basic services and rehabilitate the region's infrastructure.

The Nagorno Karabakh region is a territory of about 4,400 square kilometers in the South Caucasus recovered by Azerbaijan after its latest offensive last week. Until then, the area, with an Armenian majority, had been under the control of pro-Armenian forces for more than three decades despite the fact that the international community recognized the region as Azeri sovereignty. About 120,000 Armenians live in the area.

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinian, stated on Sunday that the possibility of the Armenian population of the Nagorno-Karabakh region moving to Armenia as part of the reintegration of the territory into Azerbaijan is increasing, before warning of the danger of a "ethnic cleansing".

The Azeri authorities have maintained at all times that their intention is for these people to remain in their homes and have promised to respect their rights, although they have indicated that members of pro-Armenian armed groups and the Armenian Armed Forces must hand over their weapons and leave. from the country.