Deaths and explosions reported at Kerch Bridge

A bridge linking the Russian mainland to Russian-occupied Crimea has been rocked by blasts, killing at least two people.

The bridge linking the Russian mainland to Russian-occupied Crimea has been damaged by blasts.

Traffic along the Russian-built bridge that links the Crimea and the Krasnodar region was halted after an “emergency”, officials and state media confirmed on Monday.

The bridge to Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, serves as a vital link for transporting supplies to Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

The Kerch Bridge was reportedly attacked. Picture: Twitter

Traffic was halted following the attack. Picture: Twitter

🚨 Captured on camera: The moments of explosions on the Kerch Bridge which connects occupied Crimea to Russia. pic.twitter.com/yZSCwWCPp5

— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) July 17, 2023

“Traffic was stopped on the Crimean bridge: an emergency occurred in the area of the 145th pillar from the Krasnodar Territory,” Russia-installed governor of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov wrote on Telegram.

Two people from Belgorod region died and a child received “moderate” injuries, Aksyonov stated after the early-morning blasts.

“We all saw on the video on the internet a damaged car with Belgorod license plates. What information is available at the moment: a girl was injured, moderately injured, she is already under the supervision of doctors.... the gravest thing is that her parents died,” Aksyonov wrote.

Both road and rail transport were halted following the blasts, which were reported about 3am and 3.20am local time.

This photograph taken on October 8, 2022 shows the Kerch bridge that links Crimea to Russia. Picture: AFP

In this file photo taken on May 15, 2018 Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a speech during the opening ceremony of the bridge over the Kerch Strait. Picture: AFP

The bridge has been attacked twice. Picture: Sergei Malgavko/TASS

A file photo from October 08, 2022 shows the aftermath of the first attack on the Kerch Bridge. Picture: AFP

It’s understood a support pillar and one span “collapsed” following the explosions. Several other spans may also be damaged.

Russian state media TASS reported that Aksyonov had advised residents and tourists to use an alternative land routes.

“Given the current situation, I ask residents and guests of the peninsula to refrain from travelling through the Crimean bridge and, for security reasons, choose an alternative land route through new regions,” he said in a statement.

It’s unclear how the blasts will impact the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a UN-brokered deal to allow the shipment of grain from Ukraine. The deal is due to expire today.

The bridge cost about $5.7 billion to build and is the main link between Russia and Crimea. It is crucial for Russia’s military logistics as it continues its costly invasion of Ukraine.

The bridge was attacked in October last year, killing three people. It’s thought a truck bomb was used in that attack.

Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 after Russian special forces seized key buildings.

The results of a dubious referendum confirmed support for the takeover. However, a non-binding UN resolution declared the referendum invalid. The annexation was widely seen as illegal under international law.