Nagorno-Karabakh: Fuel depot blast kills 20 as refugee count doubles

At least 20 people have been killed, and hundreds injured, after an explosion at a fuel depot in Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh, local Armenian authorities say. 

Nearly 300 people were admitted to hospital with dozens in a critical condition. 

The news comes as the Armenian government said 13,350 refugees crossed into the country from the enclave.

The disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region is home to a majority of some 120,000 ethnic Armenians.

It is not yet clear what caused the explosion on Monday evening. 

Human Rights Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan wrote on social media: “As a result of the explosion in the fuel warehouse, the number of injured exceeds 200.

“The health condition of the majority is severe or extremely severe. The medical capacities of Nagorno-Karabakh are not enough.”

On Tuesday, local officials said 13 unidentified bodies were found at the scene and seven more died in hospital. 

Since Azerbaijan’s seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh last week, thousands of people have left the area after the Armenian government in Yerevan announced plans to move those made homeless by the fighting.