Ukraine, Odessa: Fire at House of Trade Unions kills 38 amid violent riots

Photo: AP photo

According to the press service of the Office of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of Ukraine, a fire in the House of Trade Unions in the city of Odessa killed 38 people. Eight of the victims jumped to their deaths out of the windows; 30 others - suffocated by carbon monoxide. Fifty people sought medical assistance, including ten representatives of law enforcement agencies.

As reported, the fire broke out as a result of the clashes between the opponents of the incumbent authorities in Kiev and Ukrainian radicals. The building of the House of Trade Unions caught fire after the latter threw Molotov cocktails at the building.

Currently, firefighters evacuate people from the roof and upper floors of the burning building. Radicals assault even those who were saved from the burning building.  Even though many of them received injuries and burns, the radicals kick them, ITAR-TASS reports. The police do not interfere in the actions of the militants; paramedics, who arrived at the scene, were allowed to take only seriously injured or unconscious individuals.

Earlier it was reported that on May 2nd, the situation in Odessa worsened considerably. According to various estimates, from three to five people were killed in the clashes with opponents of the current Kiev authorities. The riots continue; explosions and shooting continue.