Bodies of 42 people recovered from rubble of school destroyed by Russian strike in Komyshuvakha

The bodies of 42 people have been recovered from the rubble in the village of Komyshuvakha on the fourth day of search and rescue operations. Another 33 people may still be trapped under the rubble.

Source: Zaporizhzhia Oblast Police

Details: Law enforcement officials reported that search and rescue operations at the site of the destroyed school are continuing.

Experts from the Missing Persons Search Centre are continuing to identify the bodies, as many of the people cannot be identified visually. Biological samples are being collected from relatives to establish DNA profiles and conduct comparative forensic examinations.

Background:

• On the morning of 2 November, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on the settlement of Komyshuvakha using guided aerial bombs. The Russians dropped at least nine bombs, including three-tonne FAB-3000 bombs, on a local school that was being used as a humanitarian aid distribution point.
• When emergency services arrived at the scene following the first strike, Russian forces struck again. Those killed included civilians, four police officers and two rescue workers.
• On the morning of 4 November, Mykhailo Semikin, the acting head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, reported that the number of people killed in this strike had risen to 37.
• Later that day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the death toll in Komyshuvakha had reached 40, with more than 30 residents still trapped under the rubble.

Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.