Bad weather in Ukraine claims 3 lives, 700 settlements remain without power – police

The death toll from bad weather in Ukraine has reached three, with eight people injured, Interior Minister of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko said.

"Squall winds caused the most destruction in Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytsky and Kyiv regions. Overall, more than 700 settlements in 19 regions are currently without power. Roofs of dozens of residential buildings and municipal facilities, educational institutions and vehicles have been damaged. Unfortunately, three people have been killed – in Zaporizhia, Zakarpattia and Cherkasy regions… Eight people have been injured as a result of the bad weather, including a child," Klymenko wrote on Telegram Monday.

According to him, squall winds in Zaporizhia damaged the roof of a concert hall building during a performer’s show. Rescuers promptly dismantled the damaged structures and ensured the safety of the audience.

Klymenko said Interior Ministry units have been continuing to deal with the aftermath of the bad weather since yesterday. In particular, State Emergency Service rescuers made more than 400 callouts the previous day, sawing trees, dismantling hazardous structures and assisting victims. Police stepped up patrols to ensure traffic flow at sites where trees and structures had fallen.

"Restoration work will continue today. Our services are not only clearing hazardous structures but also assisting energy workers. Wind gusts will also be observed across most of the country today. A level one danger warning, yellow, has been declared. We urge citizens to be cautious!" the minister added.

The State Emergency Service earlier reported two fatalities and two injured, including a child, due to bad weather in various Ukrainian regions on Sunday. According to the agency, 1,121 settlements were without power the previous day. Rescuers dealt with the aftermath of the bad weather in 13 regions.