Odesa region authorities are forced to use APCs to evacuate people from snow traps
Kyiv • UNN
A large number of people are trapped in the snow on the roads of Odesa region; even armored personnel carriers have been called in to help
Despite warnings of bad weather, thousands of people have taken to the highways of Odesa region, where they have been trapped in snow for two days. According to the State Emergency Service, many people remain on the roads in the region: it is not known exactly how many, as the situation is constantly changing, UNN reports .
In order to reach people, the authorities of Odesa region are forced to use heavy equipment, including armored personnel carriers. However, in some places, even this equipment is unable to reach the snowdrifts due to blocked trucks and snow depths of about two meters.
"The situation continues to be difficult. We have a lot of calls, rescuers are still working. Many people are stuck in places where it is difficult to get to, because there are also traffic jams, cars, they are getting there, but there are places where it is difficult to drive. Rescuers are working, we will not leave anyone behind. However, the situation is such that we just have to wait," emphasizes Marina Martynenko, spokesperson for the State Emergency Service in Odesa region.
According to her, the rescue line is sometimes "down" due to the extremely high number of calls per minute. More than 600 rescuers work in the region. Over the past day (as of 9 am), rescuers have towed more than 500 vehicles, including 14 buses and 12 ambulances. They have provided assistance to 1600+ people, including 93 children.
