Zelensky from Ukraine gives more details about the teachers and local residents who helped with the rescue in Brovary
Part of a helicopter that crashed near a kindergarten is removed January 18, 2023 in Brovary on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv. (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday gave further details of the rescue operations at the Brovary helicopter crash site, with kindergarten teachers and local residents helping to evacuate and wounded.
The rescue operation lasted more than 9 hours and the Security Service of Ukraine is conducting a criminal investigation into the incident, Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.
“Hundreds of people took part in fighting the fire, searching and rescuing the injured and conducting initial investigations: our rescuers, police officers, soldiers of the National Guard, doctors, psychologists, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine,” said Zelenskyy. “Thank you to everyone involved in this rescue today,” he added.
“I would like to thank the kindergarten teachers on whose territory the helicopter crashed,” added Zelenskyy. “Thank you for your brave actions, for getting the kids out.”
“I would also like to thank the ordinary people of Brovary, especially Mrs. Diana, Mrs. Nadia and other people who helped both the children and the injured,” said the President.
“My condolences to everyone who has lost loved ones!”
Zelenskyy reiterated that the helicopter crash injured 25 people, including 11 children, and killed 14 people, including one child.
“We lost people who were professionals, patriots and trusted managers. Ministers Denys Monastyrskyi, Yevhen Yenin and their colleagues who died in the accident are not people who can easily be replaced,” Zelenskyi said of the Interior Ministry officials who lost their lives in the accident. “This is a really big loss for the state. My condolences to the families.”