A sunny day at the beach turned tragic when three people were killed by mines that had washed ashore along the Black Sea resort coast.
The devastating incident has shocked the community and prompted renewed safety warnings from officials.
Despite the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the resort town of Zatoka remains a favored spot for vacationers. Visitors still swim and sunbathe there, even though authorities have repeatedly cautioned about drifting mines from the war zone.
This past Sunday, August 10, the danger became reality. At around 11:30 a.m. local time, two men and one woman were killed by explosive devices while swimming in prohibited areas, according to BBC reports.
“All of them were killed by explosive devices while swimming in areas banned for recreation,” said regional governor Oleh Kiper. “This once again shows that entering uninspected waters can be deadly.”
Police have been warning tourists about the high risk of mines, especially as the summer season draws more visitors. The victims were found between Karolino-Buhaz and Zatoka, though their identities have not yet been released.
Authorities believe the deaths were caused by two underwater explosions from unknown objects.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022, both sides have laid mines in the Black Sea to protect ports and disrupt naval routes. Changing weather and water currents have caused some mines to drift toward popular beaches.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, August 15, 2025, to discuss ending the war.
“This highly anticipated meeting… will take place next Friday… in the Great State of Alaska,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, promising more details soon.
This heartbreaking accident is a stark reminder of the war’s reach, and our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives.