Author: Emil Lazarian

 14:00,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. President of Russia Vladimir Putin sent a letter of condolences to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the deadly explosion that hit a market in Yerevan on August 14.

“I express my deepest condolences on the occasion of the deaths that were caused by the fire in a trade center in Yerevan. Please, convey to the families of the victims words of most sincere sympathy and support, and wishes of speedy recovery to all those injured,” President Putin said in the letter published by the Kremlin.

 15:10,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. The more time passes the less chances of finding anyone alive under the rubble, a senior firefighter working at the Surmalu market said.

“It is clear that the more time passes the more chances of finding anyone alive is diminishing. The rescue operations don’t stop, we take into account the risks, safety precautions, we must eliminate he risks to be able to work. There is a risk of structural collapse, there are steel-concrete structures hanging, we must remove them and then carry out the search. Besides, using a tractor in this rubble could harm possible survivors under the rubble,” deputy chief of the rescue forces Bagrat Vardazaryan told reporters.

Right now there are 150 firefighter-rescuers deployed, with an additional 102 volunteers from the Armenian Red Cross Society and 15 volunteers from VOMA – a survival-training organization.

 09:52,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS. Authorities updated the list of missing persons in the market blast from 18 to 17.

According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the following people are unaccounted for after the blast:

1. Aram Hayrapetyan (born 1981)

2. Marat Shahbazyan

3. Sirarpi Khachatryan

4. Mariam Khachatryan

5. Harut Garakyan

6. Gagik Karapetyan

7. Artavazd Hayrapetyan

8. Erna Grigoryan (born 1980)

9. Hrachya Sargsyan (born 1976)

10. Vachagan Yeghoyan (born 2000)

11. Vanik Amirkhanyan

12. Kseniya Badalyan (born 1981)

13. Aram Harutyunyan

14. Davit Mkhitaryan

15. Lyuba Glebova (born 1959, citizen of Russia)

16. Mehri Taheri (citizen of Iran)

17. Gegham Petrosyan (born 1985)

According to the latest information the death toll stands at 16.

 17:22,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS. As of 17:00 the death toll in the Surmalu market explosion stands at 16, and the number of those unaccounted for is 3.

One of the 16 victims is unidentified, the ministry of emergency situations said.

 16:14,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan held a meeting with members of the Union of Families of Fallen and Missing Soldiers of the Third Artsakh War, the presidency said in a statement.

Issues pertaining to the activities of the union were discussed and the importance of joint work with relevant government agencies for clarifying legal regulations of raised issues was highlighted.

During the meeting President Harutyunyan addressed the recent escalations on the line of contact and the issue of the alternative road connecting Artsakh with Armenia, noting that the new road will be a new corridor the protection of which will be carried out by the Russian peacekeepers deployed in Artsakh in accordance to the 2020 November 9 statement.

 17:16,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. According to updated information 17 people are unaccounted for following the explosion in the Surmalu market. One of the missing persons is a Russian national, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Hayk Kostanyan told reporters.

“Search and rescue and firefighting operations are ongoing, our teams and volunteers are working together with the representatives of the Armenian Red Cross,” he added.

Earlier authorities said that those missing include also an Iranian national.

At least 6 people were killed in the blast.

The following people are unaccounted for:

• Aram Hayrapetyan (born 1981)
• Marat Shahbazyan
• Sirarpi Khachatryan
• Mariam Khachatryan
• Harut Garakyan
• Gagik Karapetyan
• Artavazd Hayrapetyan
• Erna Grigoryan (born 1980)
• Hrachya Sargsyan (born 1976)
• Vachagan Yeghoyan (2000)
• Vanik Amirkhanyan
• Kseniya Badalyan (born 1981)
• Aram Harutyunyan
• Davit Mkhitaryan
• Mehdi Tahreri (citizen of Iran)
• Maline Taloyan (born 1997)
• Lyuba Glebova (citizen of Russia, born 1959)

 18:52,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi on the occasion of Independence Day. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, the message reads as follows,

“Please accept my warmest congratulations on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of India.

It is gratifying to see the significant progress and achievements of India during the years of its independence. India’s dynamic development in various fields has a positive impact on the development and modernization of the world.

We share common values and interests that truly strengthen the ties between the two countries anchored on mutual trust. Both our interactions coming from the depths of history and our cooperation in various fields give a unique character to our cooperation. Armenia supports India in its efforts to solve also global challenges.

Ensuring a high level of political dialogue, we are ready to support the implementation of new and ambitious cooperation programs in the fields of trade, economy, investment and technology.

Taking the opportunity, I wish you, Your Excellency, good health, success, and peaceful skies and prosperity to the friendly people of India.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration”.