Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB NHL Golf Horse Racing Tennis Col. Football Col. Basketball
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features Archives
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Archive Almanac
About Feedback
About Feedback
Search
Trending
Julian Edelman
EPA
Venezuela
Push-up test
Saudi prisoners
AAF
Anthony Weiner
Darren Criss
Denny Hamlin
Amazon
Airplane birth
World News
Updated Oct. 17, 2018 at 5:51 PM

Explosion, shooting at college in Crimea kills at least 19

By
Clyde Hughes and Danielle Haynes
Police investigate an attack at a vocational school in Kerch in Crimea on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Kerch.FM/EPA-EFE

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A bomb exploded Wednesday at a college in Crimea before a student opened fire with a gun, killing more than a dozen people and injuring at least 50 others, local authorities said.

The Russian national anti-terrorism committee said an "unidentified explosive device" detonated at the Kerch Polytechnic College's cafeteria. The blast happened at around noon at the school, which is located on a peninsula between the Sea of Above and the Black Sea.

Crimea, internationally recognized as part of Ukraine, was annexed by Russia in 2014. Russia's Investigative Committee opened a criminal investigation into what it said was an act of terrorism.

Russia's state-run Tass news agency reported a student also opened fire at the school before killing himself. Officials said at least 19 were dead.

RELATED Putin attends wedding of Austrian foreign minister

"The suspected attacker shot himself. He was a fourth-year student of that college. His body was found in the library on the second floor," Crimean official Sergey Aksyonov said.

Aksyonov said the student acted alone.

The Investigative Committee identified the shooter as Vladislav Roslyakov.

RELATED Pompeo: Crimea-related sanctions on Russia remain in place

Russian media initially reported it was a gas explosion, but the regional gas distribution company told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty it did not supply gas to the college.

The bomb squad from the Federal Security Service, Russia's Interior Ministry, the National Guard and the Emergencies Ministry were investigating the attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered "deep condolences to those who lost their relatives and dear ones as a result of this explosion."

Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 after a controversial referendum, a move that was denounced by the United States and many European countries. Since then, some have complained that Russia has punished those who voiced opposition to the takeover through its judicial system and law enforcement.

Terrorist bombings were more frequent in Russia during the 1990s and early 2000s because of the separatist wars in Chechnya.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more UPI news and photos.

Trending Stories

EPA plans to scale back federal protection of waterways
Anthony Weiner released from prison to federal re-entry program
Trump: Maduro supporters 'risking their lives, Venezuela's future'
Cuba refuses U.S. cruise ship
De Blasio: 'Amazon took their ball and went home'

Photo Gallery

 
King wins Best in Show at the Westminster dog show

Latest News

Dallas Cowboys WR Terrance Williams to become free agent
MLB to use pitch clock during spring training; could be added in regular season
Jacksonville Jaguars exercise DL Calais Campbell's option, decline another
Trump: Maduro supporters 'risking their lives, Venezuela's future'
Police seize tractor caught drag racing motorcycles
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy