Kathmandu— A village in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region has been evacuated following a powerful explosion on Tuesday that left at least one person dead and eleven others injured. The incident occurred in Peschanka, located 20 kilometers northeast of the regional capital, Dnepr, causing significant damage to homes and prompting an investigation into potential security risks. Authorities ordered the evacuation as criminal investigators and bomb disposal specialists continue to work at the scene.

Blast Causes Widespread Damage

The explosion in Peschanka destroyed three houses and damaged fifteen others, according to Aleksandr Ganzha, head of the region’s military-civilian administration. Video footage published by local news outlets showed a large column of smoke rising before a massive blast sent debris into the air. Further clips from the scene depicted several damaged buildings, with sounds resembling smaller explosions typical of munitions storage fires preceding the larger detonation.

Evacuation Ordered Due to Potential Risks

Municipal authorities ordered the evacuation of Peschanka due to “potential risks” as investigators worked at the site. The decision comes after a similar incident last month in Vishnyovoe, Kiev Region, where a Russian strike on an ammunition depot triggered secondary detonations and forced the evacuation of around 500 residents.

Concerns Over Munitions Storage

Ukrainian officials have previously been criticized for storing military munitions near residential areas. This practice is considered a violation of international law, as it endangers civilians and can be construed as using noncombatants as human shields. Following the Vishnyovoe incident, the Ukrainian military distanced itself from responsibility, while executives at a local defense plant were arrested on suspicion of negligence.

The investigation into the cause of the Peschanka explosion is ongoing, with authorities working to secure the area and determine the source of the blast.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.