Rescue work continue in Mariupol theater reportedly hit by Russian forces

ANKARA

Ukrainian officials said Friday that rescue workers continue to search for survivors in the rubble of a theatre in the besieged city of Mariupol after Russian forces reportedly hit the building where residents were seeking shelter.

More than 1,000 people, including women and children, were hiding in the building during the bomb attack Wednesday, the Mariupol City Council said on Telegram.

"In the rare moments of relative calm, rescuers quickly approached the site of the destroyed theater and rescued Mariupol residents who were trapped," it said. “According to preliminary information, there is no confirmed information on casualties, yet. But a person is in serious condition.”

The Russia-Ukraine war, which started on Feb. 24, has drawn international condemnation, led to financial restrictions on Moscow and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia.

At least 816 civilians have been killed and 1,333 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, the UN said, while noting the figure is probably higher.

More than 3.27 million people have also fled to neighboring countries, said the UN refugee agency.