Explosions in Kyiv
Attack during live broadcast: BBC reporter takes cover
The live broadcast of BBC reporter Hugo Bachega in Kyiv was interrupted
©Screenshot / BBC
The BBC’s Kyiv correspondent had to take cover during a live broadcast after a missile appeared to fly overhead.
There were several explosions in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Monday morning. Mayor Vitali Klitschko and international media, including the BBC, reported this unanimously.
A journalist from the British broadcaster was surprised by the alleged rocket attack on the city, which once had a population of 2.8 million, during a live broadcast.
BBC reporter takes cover in attack on Kyiv
Correspondent Hugo Bachega reported for BBC World News from downtown Kiev, near St. Michael’s Monastery. He was addressing Ukraine’s fears that the weekend’s Crimean bridge blasts would provoke fierce military responses from Russia when a booming sound approached him, culminating in a loud bang. The journalist looked around and disappeared from the frame because he immediately ducked for cover. BBC officials canceled the live broadcast. The news anchor in the London studio took over, Bachega was apparently unharmed.
A number of users uploaded the BBC sequence to social networks, and the station itself also published the excerpt on his website.
It is still unclear how many attacks there were on Kyiv this morning. It is not yet known whether there were any injuries. “Details will follow later,” Mayor Klitschko was quoted as saying by the DPA news agency. There were air alerts in almost all parts of Ukraine in the morning, and hits were reported from numerous cities. Observers believe Russian retaliation for the explosions on the Crimean bridge is likely. The Kremlin blamed Ukraine for the incident, but the Ukrainian government has not yet commented on an alleged involvement.
Sources: BBCnews agencies DPA and AFP