After weeks of being trapped under relentless bombardment, the first group of civilians evacuated from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol have finally reached the relative safety of Zaporizhzhia. Their arrival marks a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Among the evacuees is a young girl named Anna and her grandmother Olga, who shared their harrowing journey with CGTN Stringer in Ukraine at a shelter in Zaporizhzhia. \”We lived in fear every day,\” Olga recounted, her eyes reflecting the trauma they’ve endured. \”The sounds of explosions became our new normal.\”
The Azovstal steel plant had become a refuge for hundreds of civilians seeking shelter from the intense fighting in Mariupol, a strategic port city now under Russian occupation. The underground tunnels and bunkers provided temporary safety, but conditions deteriorated rapidly as supplies dwindled.
\”We had very little food and water,\” Anna whispered. \”Sometimes, we would go days without eating properly.\”
The evacuation was complicated and perilous, involving ceasefire negotiations and coordination between various parties. The successful transfer of civilians to Zaporizhzhia offers a momentary respite for those who have faced unimaginable hardships.
International organizations have praised the efforts to evacuate civilians but stress that many more remain trapped in conflict zones. Humanitarian corridors are urgently needed to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
\”Our hope is that peace will return soon,\” Olga said, holding her granddaughter close. \”We just want to go home.\”
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
