Three people have been killed in a double explosion after sea mines washed up onto tourist beaches in Ukraine.
A woman and two men lost their lives when the blasts ripped through the Black Sea resort area of Zatoka at around 11.30am today.
The explosions sent shockwaves through crowds of holidaymakers at the resort in southern Ukraine.
The three victims were reportedly swimming when two explosive devices went off around 50 metres from the shore.
Odesa regional chief Oleh Kiper said: ‘All of them have been killed by explosive devices while swimming in areas prohibited for recreation.’
Police said a man and woman were killed in Zatoka, while another man died in Karolino-Buhaz.
Dramatic footage taken from the scene shows a huge group of terrified sunseekers gathered on the sand in the aftermath of the blasts.
Bomb dispersal experts and investigators are now reported to be searching the shoreline for more devices.
Footage shows a huge group of terrified sunseekers gathered on the sand in the aftermath of the blasts in southern Ukraine
In the resort area of Zatoka, Odesa region, three people were killed after triggering a sea mine
The explosions sent shockwaves through crowds of holidaymakers at the resort in Ukraine
People in the sea in the aftermath of the devastating blasts, which took place this morning
Meanwhile, authorities launched a criminal case under Article 115 of the country’s penal code, marking the incident as an ‘accident’ waiting for further findings.
The explosions happened at 11.30am (9.30am BST) on Sunday between Karolino-Buhaz and Zatoka, witnesses told local outlet Dumskaya.
‘This once again proves that being in unchecked waters is fatally dangerous,’ the regional governor confirmed.
Police said they are yet to confirm the identity of the swimmers, warning visitors ‘not to neglect safety measures’.
‘It has been previously determined that three vacationers – a woman and two men – died while swimming as a result of two explosions of unknown objects. The identities of the deceased are being established,’ the police said.
Thirty two areas are safe for swimming, with 30 of these located in Odesa, authorities said.
