Explosions Near Odesa Beaches Kill Three Swimmers

On August 10, two explosions caused by sea mines occurred near the Black Sea resort beaches of Zatoka and Karolino-Buhaz in the Odesa region of southern Ukraine, killing three holidaymakers—a woman and two men—who were swimming in prohibited areas. These beach zones are officially closed due to the risk of drifting mines from the ongoing conflict, but some visitors ignored safety warnings. The blasts happened about 50 meters from the shore, shocking many beachgoers and prompting investigations by law enforcement and bomb disposal experts, who are now combing the shoreline for additional explosive devices. The Odesa regional administration and police have launched a criminal case treating the incident as an accident under Article 115 of Ukraine's penal code, while authorities continue to clarify the full circumstances of the tragedy. Officials emphasize the importance of adhering to designated swimming zones and local safety notices to prevent further casualties. The identities of the victims remain under investigation as rescue and forensic teams gather evidence at the scene.