A large-scale search operation involving hundreds of rescuers and volunteers in Lori Province has resulted in the recovery of the body of one of two sisters who went missing in Vanadzor on June 15, authorities said, as efforts continue to locate the second child.

The body of Nare Martirosyan, 7, was found in the Pambak River at around 9:30 on June 17, some 500 meters from where she allegedly fell into the river, the Rescue Service reported.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement earlier on June 16 that the missing children are sisters aged 7 and 13.

One emergency call reported that a child had been seen in the nearby river.

The ministry, in a statement on June 16, detailed: “The first emergency call was received on June 15 at 14:45. A citizen reported seeing a child in the Pambak River. Later the same day, at 17:05, another citizen called and reported that the two sisters, aged 7 and 13, had left an address on Narekatsi Street in Vanadzor and had not reached their intended destination.”

The Rescue Service Director and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Aram Ghazaryan, is personally coordinating the search efforts on site. Multiple first responders, including rescuers, police officers, volunteers, and divers, as well as special equipment such as UAVs, have been deployed.