Explosion occurs near Crimean Parliament in Ukraine amid two mass rallies

A bomb has exploded near the Crimean Parliament in Ukraine. A group of protesters is trying to break into the building of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea in the city of Simferopol, where officials gathered for a special meeting to discuss the political situation in the country.

Photo: AP photo

As many as 7,000 people gathered near the building. They take part in two rallies. A part of them chant: "The Crimea is not Russia! Ukraine, Ukraine!" There are many supporters of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatars among the protesters.

The participants of the other meeting, under the flags of Russia and the Crimea chant "Russia,Russia!"

Rocks and sticks are flying from the crowd. Smoke is billowing above those taking part in one place of the meeting: the people are burning leaflets of the "Russian Unity" organization.

An explosion has just occurred near the building of the Parliament of the Crimea. The situation remains extremely intense.

In pictures: Ukrainian mess spreads to Crimea

UPDATE: The explosion was most likely caused by a large firecracker. It caused no destruction, no one was injured. However, soon after the explosion, the dead body of an elderly man was found. Paramedics said that the man died from a heart attack.