In Proletarsk, the Rostov oblast, russia, efforts to extinguish the burning oil depot have been halted. This was reported by blogger Petro Andriushchenko on the evening of August 19.
"There’s nothing left to use – aviation is needed. But they are afraid to deploy it due to the threat... well, you get the idea... It’s reported that the efforts were stopped around 5:40 p.m. when the kerosene tanks began to explode. To avoid more firefighter casualties, they’re just waiting for it to burn out on its own. The sounds of explosions were heard until recently", - he reported.
Russian social media also report that 11 tanks at the oil depot have depressurized. The fire was being fought by 457 rescuers with 130 pieces of equipment.
Over the past day, 41 members of the russian Ministry of Emergency Situations were injured, 25 of them were hospitalized, including seven with burns to their hands and faces – airlifted by medevac. Currently, five are in intensive care.
It was earlier reported that a state of emergency was declared in Proletarsk due to the fire at the oil depot, which was attacked by drones.