AP evidence points to 600 dead in Mariupol theater airstrike

The Associated Press said it had conducted an investigation showing that close to 600 civilians had died in the Russian attack on the Mariupol theater, which was used as a shelter.

The exact number of victims from the March 16 airstrike has been unknown as fierce fighting has prevented authorities from conducting searches under the rubble of the theater.

While Ukrainian officials have said at least 300 people died in the attack, the AP reported that according to the recreation of events, which is based on the stories of 23 survivors and rescue teams, the death toll is at least twice as high as that reported by Ukrainian officials.

The AP also said it had analyzed the theater’s interior plans, used photographs and videos taken inside the facility before the attack, during the attack and the day after the attack.

This agency has also recreated the whole event through 3D format.

Russia denies attacking civilian targets in the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

The airstrike on the Mariupol Drama Theater is considered one of the deadliest attacks on civilians to date.

““All the people are still under the rubble, because the rubble is still there — no one dug them up.” Oskana Syomina, who survived the airstrike, told the Associated Press.

“This is one big mass grave.”