Desperate Mother's Journey for Food Ends in Tragedy as Children Perish Amid Artsakh Blockade

In a heart-wrenching incident, two children, aged three and six, lost their lives in the Martakert region of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), shedding light on the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. The tragedy unfolded as a result of the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan.

The harrowing details emerged when the mother of the children embarked on a perilous journey to Martakert on foot to procure food for her young ones. The mother, who resides in the Aghabekalanj village, left her children at home and ventured to the nearby city of Martakert to fetch for food. According to Martakert administrative head Arsen Avanesyan, the children were left alone temporarily as the mother walked to obtain food, a reflection of the hardships the local population faces due to the fuel blockade.

As the mother sought sustenance for her family, tragedy struck. The 3-year-old child, who had been asleep, woke up and set out on a desperate search for his mother, accompanied by his 6-year-old sister. The pair managed to navigate the darkness and trekked to Martakert on their own. Their journey ultimately led them to a parked car, where they sought refuge and sleep on the back seat.

Regrettably, the sweltering temperatures inside the vehicle, in addition to malnourishment due to the blockade, proved fatal for the young siblings. The local authorities were alerted on July 8 when a resident discovered their lifeless bodies in a car parked on G. Nzhdeh street. The preliminary investigation attributes their deaths to the intense heat within the car.

The devastating incident underscores the dire conditions prevailing in Artsakh due to the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. Armenia's Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, took to Twitter to bring global attention to the tragic outcome of the humanitarian crisis. "The seven-month blockade of Lachin Corridor and total siege of Nagorno-Karabakh people is having an irreversible and devastating impact on lives of people," Mirzoyan tweeted, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention to alleviate the suffering endured by the people of Artsakh.

As the international community grapples with the unfolding tragedy and the critical humanitarian situation, the loss of young lives serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the crisis and ensure the well-being of the people of Artsakh.