Search and rescue operation at Kharkiv hypermarket completed, 19 bodies found in total
The search and rescue operation at the Epicentr home improvement hypermarket in Kharkiv, which Russia targeted on 25 May, is complete. A total of 19 civilians were killed in the attack.
Source: Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, on Telegram
Details: Klymenko said the police have identified all 19 bodies of those killed in the Russian airstrikes.
Quote: "It wasn't easy. Specialist equipment was used around the clock to search for the bodies among the ashes, and they were swiftly identified using a DNA laboratory. Forensic experts have conducted over 100 tests. Sixteen relatives of missing people contacted the police and provided biological samples for testing. We also engaged expert dog handlers; a service dog discovered one body and one fragment."
Details: Klymenko said the strikes on the hypermarket had claimed the lives of 12 men and seven women. A 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl are among the dead. 54 people were injured.
Background:
- On the afternoon of 25 May, Russian forces struck the Epicentr home improvement hypermarket in Kharkiv. It took over 16 hours to put out the fire.
- On 29 May, it was reported that the death toll had risen to 19.
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