Death toll from floods after Kakhovka dam breach rises to 53

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Death toll from floods caused by an explosion at the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine last month has risen to 53, Russian state media reported on Thursday.

"The bodies of three more victims were found during consequence management of wreck, the total number of dead reached 53. A total of 139 people were hospitalized," TASS news agency reported, citing a local emergency services.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have blamed each other for carrying out strikes at the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine's Kherson region on June 6, which led to the partial destruction of the barrier, resulting in flooding of nearby areas.