Thousands flee as floods submerge Ukraine towns after dam burst

Thousands are fleeing parts of southern Ukraine after a major dam burst, triggering huge floods and sparking a humanitarian disaster.

Water continues to surge down the Dnipro river which divides Russian and Ukrainian-controlled territory.

Officials say 30 towns and villages along the river have been flooded and nearly 2,000 homes have been submerged in the main city of Kherson.

Both Ukraine and Russia blame each other for sabotaging the Kakhovka dam.

The BBC has been unable to verify claims from either side.

Early on Tuesday morning, the dam in Russian-controlled Nova Kakhovka was breached, leading to mass evacuations as water levels downstream rapidly increased.

One woman, who arrived in Kherson on a rescue boat from the Russian-occupied east side of the river, explained how quickly the situation escalated after she heard about the disaster early on Tuesday.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the Ukrainians are developing a plan to help people on both sides of the Dnipro river.

Credit: bbc.com

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