16 dead and nine missing: Rescue workers spent the entire night clearing the rubble of the attacked shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih
22 August 05:10
The death toll from the Russian attack on the “Sunny Gallery” shopping and entertainment center in Kryvyi Rih has risen to 16. A total of 130 people were injured, including 23 children. The search and rescue operation is ongoing, so the figures may change. This was reported by the head of the city’s Defense Council, Oleksandr Vilkul, and the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Hanzha, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
As of the morning of August 22, nine people are preliminarily considered missing. Among them are two children.
After midnight, rescuers found the body of another woman under the rubble. Thus, the death toll from the Russian attack has risen to 16.
How many people were affected in Kryvyi Rih
According to the latest data from local authorities:
- 16 people were killed;
- 130 people were injured;
- 23 children are among the injured;
- 63 people remain in hospitals, including 14 children;
- 29 patients are in serious condition;
- five children are among those seriously injured;
- Nine people are considered missing.
According to the head of the regional military administration, the injured have been diagnosed with shrapnel wounds, burns, and traumatic brain injuries.
The city’s medical facilities are stocked with the necessary medications. One child with severe injuries was transported to the regional children’s hospital in Dnipro.
Russia attacked the shopping center in two waves
The first Russian drone struck the “Sunny Gallery” shopping center in the Saksagansk district around 4:20–4:30 p.m. on August 21. There were many visitors and employees inside the building.
After the strike, stores caught fire. Thick black smoke rose over the area, and residents of nearby neighborhoods were urged to close their windows due to the fumes.
Police and rescue workers began evacuating people, providing first aid, and extinguishing the fire. About half an hour later, Russian forces launched a second strike.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the second wave of drones was directed at emergency services that were already working at the scene. He called the attack a terrorist act and promised a response.
Rescue workers extinguished the fire, but the search continues
The fire at the shopping center was extinguished around 11:00 p.m. However, people may still be trapped beneath the building’s rubble, so emergency responders are continuing to clear the debris.
Units of the State Emergency Service from five regions have been deployed to the rescue operation:
- Kharkiv;
- Zaporizhzhia;
- Kirovohrad;
- Poltava;
- Donetsk.
Rope climbers, K-9 handlers with service dogs, medical personnel, police officers, and psychologists are working at the scene. Information regarding the nine missing persons remains preliminary.
