Norwegian seismologists say explosion was detected around Kakhovka dam around time of collapse

Experts from the Norwegian research foundation NORSAR, which studies seismic events, have determined that on the day that Ukraine’s Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant was destroyed, an explosion was detected in the facility’s proximity.

Data from regional seismic stations indicate that the blast occurred at 2:54 a.m. on June 6, according to the organization’s site. Ukrainian media reported that the blast occurred at approximately the same time.

“We see a pulse of energy which is focused, which is typical of an explosion,” NORSAR seismologist Volker Oye said in an interview with NPR.

NPR noted that the foundation’s tools can’t pinpoint the exact location of the blast closer than within 20-30 kilometers (12-19 miles) of the station, but said that according to Oye, the detected event is unlikely to be a coincidence as explosions are rare in the area.