A tragic and unprecedented incident has occurred in Zakarpattia, once again highlighting the dangers of careless handling of munitions, particularly prohibited explosive devices
The incident took place on Saturday morning, May 3rd, in one of the villages in Mukachevo district, Zakarpattia. Due to reckless actions during a celebration in a private house, an explosion of a grenade occurred, resulting in the deaths of two men — one, a 50-year-old resident of Rakhiv village, died instantly, while the other, a 54-year-old friend, sustained severe injuries and was hospitalized. According to the Main Department of the National Police in Zakarpattia, the event happened at a private residence where the men were celebrating some occasion. Preliminary findings indicate that one of them, intoxicated and under tense circumstances, carelessly handled a munition — he accidentally pulled the pin from a grenade. As a result of this alarming and unexpected reaction, a powerful explosion occurred, leading to the death of one participant and serious injury to his friend. It is important to note that the explosive devices involved in this dangerous incident were illegal. The police have opened a criminal case under articles that stipulate criminal liability for illegal storage, carrying, and use of munitions (Part 1, Article 115 and Part 1, Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Investigative actions are ongoing to establish all circumstances of the tragedy and hold those responsible accountable. This is not the first such tragic event in Zakarpattia in recent times. Just a month ago, on April 18th, in the same Mukachevo district, another explosion involving a combat grenade occurred. Two people were killed in that incident. At the scene, authorities found a control lever and a ring with a fuse for a detonator, indicating that the ammunition may have fallen into the wrong hands or remained uncontrolled. These incidents clearly demonstrate the urgent need to strengthen control measures and bans on storing prohibited explosive devices, ensure the prompt disposal of such items, and raise public awareness of the potential dangers posed by reckless handling and negligence regarding munitions. Society calls on law enforcement agencies to continue focusing efforts on preventing such situations, as negligence and carelessness can lead to loss of life and leave families in hardship. These recent tragic cases serve as a stark reminder that danger may be close at hand, and it is our duty to adhere to safety rules, refrain from touching unknown or prohibited items, and report suspicious finds. Only through collective effort can we prevent further tragedies and ensure the safety of our citizens.