Russian firefighters battled a wildfire near the popular resort town of Gelendzhik in southern Russia overnight Tuesday, tackling the blaze from land and air, authorities and media reported.
The blaze moved fast through woodland in the area as a result of strong winds, as well as the challenging mountainous terrain of the area, Russia's Emergencies Ministry said.
Two Mi-8 helicopters, two Be-200 amphibious planes and 400 people were deployed in the firefighting efforts, with some 118 hectares of woodland burned around the Black Sea resort area, according to officials.
Images and videos shared online showed the blaze engulfing several hills overlooking Gelendzhik, which is located in southern Russia's Krasnodar region.
Police detained a local resident who is suspected of starting the fire, the local branch of the Interior Ministry said Tuesday.
According to a preliminary investigation, the 40-year-old man had been stripping electrical wires he sought to sell when they overheated, thus causing a small fire that later spread to the surrounding woods.
No casualties or imminent threats to infrastructure were reported.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
