The death toll has risen to eight following a Russian drone strike on a high-rise building in Sumy. Rescuers have retrieved the bodies of a 74-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman (mother of the injured girl — editor's note). Thirteen people have been injured, including a child. Emergency and rescue operations are ongoing.
This was reported by the head of the Sumy Regional State Administration, Volodymyr Artyukh, during a national telethon "United News."
"There are already seven dead and 13 injured. The forecast is such that not all the rubble has been cleared, evacuation efforts are continuing, and the numbers may rise…
Our rescuers are working day and night, understanding that there may still be living people under the debris. The operation is ongoing. Unfortunately, two bodies have been found.
Why such a high number? The drone strike hit the stairwell, targeting the entrance where the sleeping quarters are located. People were in their beds and didn’t have time to escape…
The majority of the injured are in hospitals, two sought medical assistance and then returned home. About five are in serious condition. There are concerns about the condition of an 8-year-old girl; we are currently searching for her mother… Her grandfather is also in the hospital.
According to rescuers, there may still be two or three people under the rubble. Search and rescue operations are complicated by the structure of the panel building. The impact caused the slabs, walls, and floors to collapse. Essentially, the sixth floor has fallen to the first, into the basement of the building," Volodymyr Artyukh said.