Columns of black smoke billow after a fuel truck exploded on a bridge between the occupied Crimean peninsula and Russia today (October 8) at approximately 6.07 am Moscow time. At least three people died.

The blast caused severe damage to the 19km crossing across the Kerch Strait. Parts of the structure fell into the sea and two motorway sections partially collapsed.

The cause of the explosion is unknown. Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation and President Putin has ordered a government inquiry.

The incident represents a further challenge for Russia at its worst time when Ukrainian forces have made gains in territories occupied by Russia. The bridge was a key supply route for the country and was used frequently to move military equipment.

The collapse of the structure is a great blow to Russia's reputation. The bridge was opened by Vladimir Putin in 2018, four years after Crimea was illegally annexed.

This footage was supplied by SOTA News.

An explosion occurred on the Kerch bridge in Crimea. Part of the roadbed destroyed, traffic on the bridge stopped According to preliminary data, at around 6:00 am on Saturday, October 8, one of the wagons of a freight train, which was going from Taman to Kerch, caught fire. According to RBC with reference to the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, a truck was blown up on the Kerch bridge, which led to the ignition of seven fuel tanks of the train. Two car spans of the bridge were partially collapsed. The Crimean Railway announced a stop of traffic and a delay of trains due to an emergency. The bridge has also been closed to vehicular traffic. Shipping in the Kerch Strait continues as usual. The fire is extinguished by the forces of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Food and heating stations for drivers have been deployed at the entrances to the bridge
video SOTA news