In Kharkiv region, in the Balakliya forestry, an emergency incident occurred during the firefighting efforts
During the process of extinguishing a fire that affected over 290 hectares of coniferous forest and 20 hectares of reed, an explosion took place involving an explosive device. As a result, two forestry workers were injured, experiencing acute stress reactions and were promptly transported to medical facilities. According to official information from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the incident happened while performing official duties. During active firefighting operations at the scene, an explosion occurred involving a fire truck belonging to the forestry enterprise. As a consequence of the explosion, two foresters sustained injuries related to psychological overstimulation and stress; preliminary data indicate that these injuries do not require hospitalization but caused significant shock. At the time of intensified firefighting measures, a substantial operational reserve was involved. A total of 105 rescue workers participated in extinguishing the fire, using more than 34 units of fire equipment. In addition to the State Emergency Service forces, eight Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams were working on the site, identifying and disarming potential explosive objects, along with forestry workers, one of whom was involved in the explosion. Currently, the fire is ongoing, and the situation remains challenging. As of 5:00 p.m., approximately 30 hectares of the affected area are still being actively fought to contain the blaze. Throughout the day, rescuers have been working intensively under dangerous conditions, employing various methods and techniques to stabilize the situation and prevent the fire from spreading. This incident highlights once again the complexity and risks involved in rescue operations in regions with a high presence of explosive devices, as well as the need for increased caution and additional safety measures for emergency personnel. Local authorities and emergency services have already begun conducting further investigations into the incident to establish all circumstances of the explosion, assess potential threats to other targets in the region, and prevent similar incidents in the future.