Ukraine says 130 people rescued from bombed Mariupol theatre so far

A satellite image shows a closer view of Mariupol Drama Theatre before bombing, as a word "children" in Russian is written in large white letters on the pavement in front of and behind the building, in Mariupol. Credit: Reuters photo/Maxar

Ukrainian human rights ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova on Friday said 130 people had been rescued so far from the rubble of a theatre hit by an air strike on Wednesday in the besieged eastern city of Mariupol.

In a televised address, Denisova said rescue work was ongoing at the site, where many people were sheltering underground before the building was hit, according to the Ukrainian authorities.

"Hundreds of Mariupol residents are still beneath the rubble," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address on Facebook.

He promised to continue rescue operations in Mariupol "despite shelling" in the southern city that has suffered vast destruction.

With AFP inputs.

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