The head of Crimea's parliament has blamed Ukraine for the incident, but Kyiv has not yet released an official statement.

The bridge is a crucial route for road and rail travel between Russia and Crimea. Russia's transport ministry has said that the bridge's supports remain intact and undamaged. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the incident.

This is the second significant incident on the Kerch bridge within the past year. In October 2022, a major explosion led to the partial closure of the bridge, which serves as a vital supply route. However, after undergoing necessary repairs and restoration work, the bridge was fully reopened in February.

As investigations continue, a blame game has emerged between Crimea and Ukraine, intensifying the already tense political and territorial disputes in the region. The official stance of Kyiv on the matter is yet to be announced. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available, shedding light on the details surrounding this tragic incident. (ILKHA)