Three swimmers dead after sea mines wash up on beach and explode at popular tourist spot
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Three beach-goers have been killed by sea mines while swimming at a popular tourist hotspot in Odesa, Ukraine.
The Black Sea resort area of Zatoka remains popular despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with swimmers and sunbathers taking to a beach in the region on Sunday (August 10) to enjoy some sunshine.
Despite Russia's full-scale invasion happening over three years ago, the Black Sea remains a tourist hotspot - though Ukrainian officials have deemed many of its beaches unsafe since the war began.
Holidaymakers have been urged by local authorities not to swim in prohibited waters due to the ongoing risk of mines drifting in from the frontline.
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Tragedy hit Zatoka on Sunday as witnesses described explosions happening at 11.30am local time, with a local official confirming two men and one woman had been killed by 'explosive devices', as per the BBC.
"All of them have been killed by explosive devices while swimming in areas prohibited for recreation," regional governor Oleh Kiper said.
"This once again proves that being in unchecked waters is fatally dangerous. Each of them has undergone a comprehensive inspection — the presence of shelters, the absence of mine danger both on land and in water."
Police in Zakota have continued to warn visitors about the danger of swimming in prohibited areas as the summer season heats up.
They are yet to detail the identities of those to have lost their lives at the beach between Karolino-Buhaz and Zatoka this weekend.
"It has been previously determined that three vacationers - a woman and two men - died while swimming as a result of two explosions of unknown objects. The identities of the deceased are being established," the police report states.
Tragic in Zatoka:
— AnatolijUkraine (@AnatoliUkraine) August 10, 2025
A mine exploded just meters from the shore, killing at least one person.
Reports say he swam in a prohibited area — a deadly mistake. pic.twitter.com/rosLauJHYe
The Black Sea has become filled with minefields since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, with forces on both sides deploying mines to defend ports and block naval routes.
However, weather conditions and strong currents has meant some mines have become dislodged and drifted towards popular tourist destinations.
Donald Trump is planning to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week to discuss bringing an end to the war.
"The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
There have been reports the POTUS is 'considering' inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the meeting.