A Ukrainian official says 32 pro-Russian rebels, who died in the Black Sea port, Odesa, on May 2, might have been poisoned with chloroform before dying in a fire.
The chief of Ukraine's General Investigative Directorate, Vitaliy Sakal, told reporters on May 19 that chloroform had been found by investigators in the Trade Unions building in Odesa. Inhaling the substance causes breathing failure.
Sakal added that Ukrainian investigators had contacted the Israeli Embassy, asking for professional experts to investigate any traces of the chemical in the building.
Thirty-two people were found dead in the building, many of them with burns, on May 2 after the building was engulfed in flames during clashes between pro-Russian rebels and pro-Ukrainian soccer fans.
In total, 48 people were killed and some 250 were injured during the May 2 clashes in Odesa.
The chief of Ukraine's General Investigative Directorate, Vitaliy Sakal, told reporters on May 19 that chloroform had been found by investigators in the Trade Unions building in Odesa. Inhaling the substance causes breathing failure.
Sakal added that Ukrainian investigators had contacted the Israeli Embassy, asking for professional experts to investigate any traces of the chemical in the building.
Thirty-two people were found dead in the building, many of them with burns, on May 2 after the building was engulfed in flames during clashes between pro-Russian rebels and pro-Ukrainian soccer fans.
In total, 48 people were killed and some 250 were injured during the May 2 clashes in Odesa.
