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White House calls for immediate humanitarian access to Karabakh

27.09.2023, 11:30
The White House National Security Council issued a statement on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.


White House calls for immediate humanitarian access to Karabakh

YEREVAN, September 27. /ARKA/. The White House National Security Council issued a statement on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

'We are saddened by the news that at least 68 people have been killed and hundreds injured in an explosion at a fuel depot in Nagorno-Karabakh and express deep sympathy to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and to all of those suffering. We urge continued humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh for all those in need,' White House National Security Council representative Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

She said the United States will continue to support those affected by the ongoing crisis as 28,000 people have crossed into Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh.

'USAID Administrator Power is on the ground and today, the United States is announcing additional humanitarian assistance to address health care and other emergency needs, helping local communities provide shelter and essential supplies – such as hygiene kits, blankets, and clothing – to address the needs of those affected or displaced by violence in Nagorno-Karabakh. Since 2020, we have supported the provision of food, water, emergency medical care and evacuations, and family reunifications for conflict-affected communities in Nagorno-Karabakh and the region,' she said.

The explosion occurred as people lined up to fill up their cars at a petrol station outside the regional capital Stepanakert late Monday.

Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan said Tuesday night that 68 people were killed, another 290 were injured and 105 were reported missing.

According to Stepanyan, 21 bodies have been identified. The 168 injured were taken to Armenian hospitals by ambulances and helicopters.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear, but according to some reports from Stepanakert, it was caused by carelessness.

The Armenian government said late on Tuesday that more than 28,000 people have fled across the border since Azerbaijan's swift military operation to fully reclaim Nagorno-Karabakh.-0-