The death toll from a huge explosion at a fuel depot in Nagorno-Karabakh on Monday, September 25 has now jumped to 170, the NKR InfoCenter reports.

“Remains found at the scene of the blast will now be sent to Armenia to identify the victims through DNA analysis.

Hundreds were killed and seriously injured when queueing at the depot to obtain fuel and leave the territory after it surrendered to Azerbaijan.

The authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh said rescue teams were continuing to search the area. The cause of the explosion has not been revealed yet.

On September 19, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, which left hundreds of Armenians killed and thousands of others displaced. On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a ceasefire on Azerbaijan’s terms, including the dissolution of the Defense Army. On September 18, President of the Republic of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree, according to which the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) will cease to exist by January 1, 2024. As of September 29 morning, around 85,000 displaced residents have already fled Nagorno-Karabakh and reached Armenia.