Thibaud Hue, edited by Nathanaël Bentura 2:13 p.m., March 17, 2022
The latest images from the theater in Mariupol, southern Ukraine, show the smoking rubble of part of the building.
According to the Ukrainians, there would have been nearly 1,000 people sheltered in the theater.
For the time being, no assessment of possible injuries or deaths has been disclosed.
But what exactly happened?
Ukraine has accused Russia of attacking the theater in Mariupol, a city in the south of the country, hit by a shell on Wednesday evening.
In the first images received on site, we can see the building ravaged by flames, under sheets of smoke and a gaping hole.
The theater was completely cut in two by the explosion.
However, according to satellite images, the word "CHILD" had been written on the ground in front and behind the building in huge white letters.
A way for civilians to warn planes of their presence.
On the 22nd day of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Joe Biden reacted to this act by calling Vladimir Putin a "war criminal".
Majority of theater occupants may be alive
According to the mayor of the city, Vadym Boïchenko, a thousand inhabitants had taken refuge in the theater of Mariupol.
For now, the human toll is not yet known, but two Ukrainian MPs say on Twitter that the bomb shelter held.
According to them, the majority of the victims could be alive.
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The chosen one denounced a "genocide": "We will never forgive, it is a terrible tragedy", he denounced on Telegram messaging.
On the Russian side, the Ministry of Defense denies the attack and accuses the Ukrainian nationalist battalion Asov.
Mariupol has been besieged and bombarded by the Russian army for two weeks.
The inhabitants are still deprived of water, gas and electricity.
According to local authorities, more than 2,000 civilians have died in the city since the start of the war.