At least 20 individuals were killed and about 300 others were injured when a fuel tank exploded in the capital of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region on Monday (September 27) as desperate residents sought to flee the mounting conflict.
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Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, although most of its territory has been governed by the breakaway Armenian-led Republic of Artsakh.

The Fire Service of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Emergency Situations was dispatched to the scene in Khankendi, or Stepanakert to Armenians. Officials said a comprehensive assessment revealed the blaze had a high potential to spread, specifically threatening a park of reserve fuel tanks. Thankfully, due to the firefighters' prompt response, the fire was contained and promptly extinguished. Crucially, surrounding areas and other fuel tanks remained unscathed.

Today (September 27) saw aid provided to the explosion victims as the Ministry dispatched 53 vehicles to the region, assigned to a field hospital near Khojaly. Additionally, a team of 50 personnel was sent to Khankendi to conduct search, rescue, and other vital safety measures related to the explosion.

A former head of the breakaway ethnic Armenian government in Nagorno-Karabakh was arrested by Azerbaijan on Wednesday as he tried to escape into Armenia proper.

The arrest of Ruben Vardanyan, a billionaire involved in banking and philanthropy, raised attention to an ever-escalating situation experts are calling a humanitarian crisis affecting tens of thousands.

At a gas station in the suburbs of the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenians call Stepanakert and Azeris call Khankendi, a fuel tank exploded. At least 20 people were killed and about 300 were injured. They stood in line to refuel their cars before leaving the region.
TC 00;00-01.02 DATE 27.09
On September 25, in connection with a fire that occurred at a gas station near the city of Khankendi in Azerbaijan, the Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan was brought to the territory.

As reported to AZERTAC by the press service of the ministry, during an assessment of the operational situation at the scene of the incident, it was determined that a fire with a high risk of spread occurred in a park of reserve fuel tanks.

Thanks to the dedicated professional work of firefighters, the fire was localized and quickly extinguished.

The surrounding areas, including other fuel tanks, are protected from fire.
TC01.03 -03.53 DATE 25/09
For the construction of a field hospital near Khojaly, 53 vehicles of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan were sent to the region along with personnel and the necessary equipment to provide medical assistance to victims of an explosion and fire at a gas station at the entrance to the city of Khankendi.
TC 03.54-END DATE 27/09
Ten vehicles and a team of 50 people from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan left for Khankendi to carry out search and rescue and other necessary security measures in connection with the fire and explosion that occurred at a gas station near the city.

According to the regional correspondent of AZERTAC, a convoy of vehicles from the Ministry of Emergency Situations was sent to the scene of the incident along the Aghdam-Askeran-Khankendi road.

It should be noted that the fire at a gas station near the Azerbaijani city of Khankendi was quickly extinguished by the State Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

In addition, 53 vehicles of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (along with personnel) and the necessary equipment will be sent to the construction of a field hospital near Khojaly.