More than 1,300 people remain under rubble of Mariupol Drama Theater - Denisova

That's according to Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova, Ukrinform reports, with reference to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

"As of this hour, we know that 130 people have been evacuated. However, according to our data, there are still more than 1,300 people who stay in those basements, in that bomb shelter. We pray that all of them will be alive, but at the moment there is no information about them," Denisova said.

She added that rescue work is underway, but no other details are available yet.

According to her, almost 70% of the city's houses have been damaged, and some of them will not be restored, which indicates there might be a large number of victims.

"Of course, the entire infrastructure has been destroyed. We need to deliver humanitarian aid, because people have been staying in the basements for 17 days without food. There's a lack of bread. Therefore, it is extremely important that there is an agreement on the transfer of humanitarian aid," Denisova said.

Ukrinform reported earlier that on March 16, Russian terrorists dropped an air bomb on the building of the Mariupol Drama Theater. The attack destroyed the central part of the theater and the entrance to the bomb shelter, which housed hundreds of people, mostly women and children. Due to constant shelling, rescuers could not begin rescue work.

The war with Russian invaders has been going on in Ukraine since February 24.