Major fire in Zakarpattia region: Firefighting efforts continue, prosecutor’s office launches investigation

This was reported by Maryna Bezeha, spokesperson for the Zakarpattia Regional Prosecutor’s Office, in a comment to Ukrinform.

"Criminal proceedings regarding the fire on the territory of the Verkhnii Volovets Forestry Unit of the Svaliava Forest District of the Carpathian Branch of the State Enterprise Forests of Ukraine have been registered by the Mukachevo District Prosecutor's Office. The preliminary legal classification in the proceedings is Part 2 of Article 245 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (destruction or damage to flora, resulting in serious consequences)," she said.

According to the spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office, law enforcement officials are currently unable to determine the cause of the fire.

“This is impossible until the fire is extinguished. However, investigators will first examine human and natural factors regarding the outbreak of this large-scale fire,” she said.

As reported, 75 hectares of forest are burning near Volovets on the Borzhava Ridge in Zakarpattia. The fire broke out on the evening of May 5.

Rescue workers have not yet managed to contain the fire. Firefighting efforts are ongoing.

Photo: State Emergency Service