Ukraine: dozens die in Odessa blaze amid violence

In Ukraine, dozens of people have died in a fire amid violence in Odessa.

The trade union building in the city centre was set ablaze, according to regional police. People became trapped inside and died from smoke inhalation.

Others were shot dead when fighting broke out between people backing Kyiv and pro-Russian activists.

It is some of the worst violence in the mainly Russian-speaking Black Sea port since Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in February.

Police said in a statement that activists threw petrol bombs, paving stones and “explosive devices” during the clashes.

Video aired on Ukrainian Espresso TV shows protesters breaking bricks and throwing them into a crowd. Others held up makeshift metal shields.

Odessa is close to Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow in March.

http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/02/ukraine-dozensdieinodessablaze-amid-violence/