Chernigov, October 9: Over 10, 000 people have been evacuated after powerful explosions rocked a local ammunitions depot near the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine. According to RT, the area has been put on lockdown for air and land travel. Airspace within 20 km from the spot has been closed. 220 emergency staffers and 60 technical units have been dispatched to the explosion area. The first reports of blasts at the arsenal in the town of Ichnia came in the night at around 3.30 am (local time), Ukraine's General Staff reported. Currently, the impact of explosions in the nearby territory is  unclear. Meanwhile, an emergency response headquarters has been set up. Ukraine's Sentsov Says Ends Hunger Strike to Avoid Being Force-fed.

There has been no information on the number of casualties so far, First Deputy Interior Minister Serhiy Yarovoy, in charge of the emergency headquarters, said. RT reported that the emergency service crews, national police, and the National Guard have all been alerted about the explosions. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Interior Ministry has called for additional back up.