Rescuers finish rubble removal in Zaporizhzhia: five people killed, five more injured

On October 19, the press service of the State Emergency Service reported about this.

"Rescuers have completed search and rescue operations in a residential building that was destroyed as a result of a Russian missile attack on the night of October 18. The search operation lasted over 20 hours. A total of five people were killed and five others were injured," the statement reads.

"The rescuers also found a frightened cat under the rubble, which was freed and handed over to its owner," the Emergency Service added.

They noted that the work was complicated by constant air raids. In addition, there was a threat of construction collapse.

Earlier, the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, Yuriy Malashko, informed about the detection of the bodies of 5 victims.

It is noted that the number of victims has increased to 5. The bodies of 3 people who were considered missing have been unblocked from the rubble.

Also, according to Malashko, 5 wounded were taken to medical facilities.

Prior to that, the secretary of Zaporizhzhia City Council Anatoliy Kurtiev shared that two bodies were found during search and rescue operations.

"Unfortunately, the number of people whose lives were cut short as a result of the nighttime terrorist attack by Russia has increased to four," he said in a statement.

The head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Yuriy Malashko reported that one of the strikes hit a multi-storey building in the central part of the city, damaging 8 apartments.

According to the secretary, two more bodies were found during search and rescue operations today.

The head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Yuriy Malashko reports.

"Tonight, between 1:33 and 1:48 a.m., the Russian terrorist troops launched 6 missile attacks on the territory of Zaporizhzhia. The type of missiles is being established," he wrote.

Malashko noted that one of the strikes hit a multi-storey building in the central part of the city, damaging 8 apartments.

Photo: telegram Yuriy Malashko

The services evacuated the residents of the building, who will be provided with temporary housing.

Zaporizhzhia Mayor Anatolii Kurtiev said that a search and rescue operation was launched at the site of the hit.

The press center of the National Police reported that as of 2:50 p.m., two people were killed and three injured as a result of the strike. Law enforcement and rescuers are establishing what happened to the other three residents of the house.

Russian troops hit the territory of industrial facilities with two other missiles, and a private household with another. The house and outbuildings were damaged by the blast wave and debris. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

Kurtiev noted that the residents of the building continue to receive assistance in municipal buses, the city council tent and the nearest Points of Invincibility. (Unbreakable points are places where heat, water, electricity, mobile communication, etc. are provided - ed.)

Photo: telegram by Anatolii Kurtiev

The State Emergency Service of Zaporizhzhia region reported that the Russian attack destroyed a section of the entrance from the 5th to the 3rd floors. Fifty people were evacuated from the building. 

"Employees of the State Emergency Service, together with law enforcement officers and volunteers rescued a man who was taken outside on a stretcher and handed over to doctors," the statement reads. 

At the same time, Radio Svoboda reports 5 wounded.

President's reaction

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his condolences to the families: "My condolences to all those whose relatives and friends have been killed by Russian terror."

"The evil state continues its tactics of war against civilians, its terror. I thank everyone who is not indifferent and helps us to fight it. We will do everything to bring the terrorist state to justice. Russian terror must lose," he emphasized.

• On October 15, at night, the Russian army attacked Zaporizhzhia with S-300 missiles. The invaders hit the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia, partially destroyed infrastructure facilities, and a fire broke out.