Category: 2022

Fireworks explosion in Armenia kills at least 6 and injures 60

Samvel Nahapetian
Aug 15 2022

A popular market in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, was devastated by a massive explosion at a fireworks storage area on Sunday.

The blast at Surmalu market in the early afternoon killed at least six people, injured 60 others and sparked a huge fire that raged into the night, according to the country's Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Another 18 people are unaccounted for, with relatives believing they could still be trapped in the wreckage of a building that was destroyed by the blast.

The cause of the explosion remains unknown.

Rescue workers and volunteers are still searching amid still-exploding fireworks, using diggers to pull dead and injured people from under slabs of concrete and twisted metal on Sunday.

Armenia's General Prosecutor's Office announced overnight that it was opening an investigation into possible violations of "fire regulations" or rules around storing flammable products.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also visited the scene of the explosion on Monday morning, according to his press office.

The Surmalu wholesale market is traditionally very busy on Sundays. Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion occurred in an area where fireworks were stored, yet the authorities have not confirmed this.

"There is no information at the moment," Alen Simonyan, Chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia told The Associated Press on Sunday afternoon.

"There is no conclusion [on what caused the blast] yet, but most likely a violation of fire discipline or something like that."

Footage circulating on social media showed a thick plume of black smoke rising high into the sky, with the sound of small detonations crackling in quick succession in the background.

"I have never seen anything like this in my life, this is the first time I see such a thing," said one local resident Arsen.

According to Armenia's Ministry of Emergency Situations, around 350 firefighters and rescue workers were deployed to the scene, as well as several trucks and construction machinery. They used long water hoses and ladders to extinguish the flames, leaving blackened, smouldering ruins.

The market, two kilometres south of the city centre, is popular with locals for its low prices and variety of goods.

The embassy of Russia, a neighbouring country of Armenia, indicated on Sunday evening it was seeking to establish whether Russians were among the victims.

"We express our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died in the explosion," it said in a statement.

PM Pashinyan visits the scene of Surmalu blast

Kevo Kalantarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – Aug 15 2022
, 10:13

 Less than a minute

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the scene of the blast at Yerevan’s Surmalu shopping center, where an explosion took place on August 14.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Mayor of Yerevan Hrachya Sargsyan, the Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Pambukhchyan, the director of the rescue service Armen Gasparyan, the head of the Office of Coordination of Inspection Bodies Artur Asoyan.

Prime Minister Pashinyan was briefed on the process of search and rescue works.

https://en.armradio.am/2022/08/15/pm-pashinyan-visits-the-scene-of-surmalu-blast/

Yerevan market blast not an act of terrorism – Minister of Emergency

Jhanna Virabian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – Aug 15 2022
, 14:07

 1 minute read

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia is “99 percent sure” that the explosion at Surmalu shopping center was not a terrorist act, Minister Armen Pambukhchyan told reporters, Armenpress reports.

“It becomes obvious from the footage of the moment of the blast that there can be no talk about an act of terror because first there is some fire, smoke rises, then the blast follows. In other words, there was small fire, which extended to the explosive materials. According to the ministry of emergency situations this is 99 percent accurate,” he said.

At least six people died and dozens were taken to hospital following the blast and fire that tore through the Surmalu shopping center in Yerevan. Fifteen people are still missing, the rescue works continue.

Artsakh’s Herher and Machkalashen villages get new playgrounds

Varazdat Torgomian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – Aug 15 2022


, 14:18

 

The official opening of two new playgrounds in Martuni’s Herher and Machkalashen villages recently took place as part of the Tufenkian Foundation’s Herher Village Cluster Restoration and Redevelopment program. The playgrounds have already been serving as safe and welcoming spaces for the 200 children in the two villages for the past few months.

The villages’ children and their families, the two mayors, and representatives of the Foundation’s Artsakh and Yerevan offices attended the ceremonies.

The Herher playground was built thanks to a partnership between the Tufenkian Foundation and Los Angeles-based JHM Foundation. Established by their namesakes, John and Hasmik Mgrdichian, JHM supports Armenian communities worldwide. The ceremonial ribbon was cut by Herher Mayor Arman Aleksanyan and Tufenkian Foundation director Greg Bedian.

“The 80 school- and 35 preschool-age children in the village will now have the opportunity to play together outside, disconnect from their screens, and, if even for an hour a day, forget their worries. The children needed a space like this, especially in the summer months, when they are out of school,” explained Herher Mayor Aleksanyan.

Speaking to local reporters, Edvin Grigoryan, Tufenkian’s director of Artsakh programming, said the playground would help the village’s children better interact with one another and thus, allow them to develop social and interpersonal skills. “We must create comfortable conditions, so families stay in their villages. In this process, we should never forget the children—the future of our nation. The establishment of playgrounds and places of leisure and entertainment for kids is crucial,” Grigoryan explained.

Following the 2020 War and consultations with Artsakh authorities, the Foundation decided to work in the Herher cluster in the Martuni region of Artsakh, focusing on Herher and its surrounding villages, including Tsovategh, Kherkhan, and Machkalashen.

The playground in Machkalashen was renovated and outfitted with brand new equipment thanks to a generous gift by Sevan and Hagop Agopian of Vancouver, Canada, in honor of their parents, Clara Kassabian and Vahe Agopian. At the request of the donors, the playground was named the “Vanashen Playground.”

Machkalashen’s Mayor Lernik Avanesyan, who thanked the Canadian-Armenian donors and stressed the importance of such playgrounds in Artsakh’s villages, joined Bedian in the ceremonial ribbon cutting. “There are about 80 children in this village; they spend most of their day in this playground. Today marks the start of a new and exciting opportunity for our village and the development of community life here,” Avanesyan said. The new playground equipment includes swing sets, a jungle gym, a merry-go-round, and slides.

Following the ceremony, six-year-old Lilly, born and raised in Machkalashen, expressed her joy about the playground, which, according to her, not only provides her an opportunity to play but also to spend time with her dear friends outside of her school. “I love this playground because I get to play with all of my friends here. I want to keep coming here every day,” Lilly explained.


Iranian national missing after Yerevan market blast

Meline Chalian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – Aug 15 2022



, 14:54

 

An Iranian national is among the missing after the explosion at Surmalu shopping center in Yerevan.

According to the updated information of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, a total of eighteen people are missing.

  1. Aram Hayrapetyan, born in 1981
  2. Marat Shahbazyan
  3. Sirarpi Khachatryan
  4. Mariam Khachatryan
  5. Harut Garakyan
  6. Gagik Karapetyan
  7. Artavazd Hayrapetyan
  8. Erna Grigoryan, born in 1980
  9. Hrachya Sargsyan, born in 1976
  10. Vachagan Yeghoyan, born in 2000
  11. Vanik Amirkhanyan
  12. Ksenia Badalyan, born in 1981
  13. Aram Harutyunyan
  14. David Mkhitaryan
  15. Vanik Karapetyan
  16. Narine Karapetyan
  17. Valod Karapetyan
  18. Mehri Tahreri (Citizen of Iran)

At least six people died and dozens were taken to hospital following the blast and fire that tore through the Surmalu shopping center in Yerevan.

According to updated information, 18 people are still missing, the rescue works continue.

Ministerial transport conference of landlocked developing countries kicks off in Turkmenistan

Garnik Tadevosian
ARMINFO
Armenia – Aug 15 2022

ArmInfo.Today, on , the International Conference at the Level of Ministers of Transport of Landlocked Developing Countries in a hybrid format began its work at the Congress Center of the Avaza National Tourist Zone.

The forum, organized on the initiative of Turkmenistan under the auspices of the United Nations, is attended by delegations from about 40 states and over 30 international organizations. The current event also brought together heads of UN agencies, authoritative international, regional and subregional organizations and financial structures, representatives of the private sector, non-governmental associations, and academia. From the Turkmen side, members of the government, heads and representatives of a number of ministries and sectoral departments take part in the forum.

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent a video message to the participants of the International Conference of Transport Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries.

In his video address to the Conference participants, the head of state, in particular, noted that "The analysis of modern processes, the prevailing trends in the world economy convincingly shows that the development of transport and communications is becoming increasingly important and decisive."

As noted, the main objectives of the conference are to analyze the progress made by landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) in the field of sustainable transport and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), determine the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other challenges in this context . Topics also include consideration of the key role of transport in post-COVID-19 recovery, climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The objectives of the forum are to share knowledge, experience and innovative approaches, solutions for financing infrastructure after the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring its sustainability and stability, identifying recommendations and opportunities for improving the development and maintenance of transport infrastructure in LLDCs, as well as expanding international support in the field of transport and strengthening cooperation in this area for the benefit of LLDCs.

These recommendations are expected to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and will be presented at the Third United Nations Conference on LLDCs in 2024.

Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations: There are 5 citizens of Iran and one citizen of Russia among the missing persons

Alex Nanijanian
ARMINFO
Armenia – Aug 15 2022

ArmInfo. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia has added to the list of persons considered missing as a result of the explosion in the Surmalu  shopping center. There are 5 citizens of Iran and one citizen of  Russia among the missing persons Thus, according to the Ministry of  Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia, the following  citizens are listed as missing:  

1. Aram Hayrapetyan, born in 1981

2. Marat Shahbazyan

3. Sirarpi Khachatryan

4. Mariam Khachatryan

5. Harut Garakyan

6. Gagik Karapetyan

7. Artavazd Hayrapetyan

8. Erna Grigoryan, born in 1980

9. Hrachya Sargsyan, born in 1976

10. Vachagan Egoyan, born in 2000

11. Vanik Amirkhanyan

12. Ksenia Badalyan, born in 1981

13. Aram Harutyunyan

14. David Mkhitaryan

15.Vanik Karapetyan

16. Mehri Tareri (Iranian citizen)

17. Meline Taloyan, born in 1997

18. Lyubov Gribova (citizen of the Russian Federation, born in 1959)

19. Mariam Fathi,

20. Vania Fathi (born 2016),

21  Edris Fathi (born 2002),

22. Kiomars Fathy (born 1972),

23. Monire Naderi.  

On August 14, the National Center for Crisis Management received a  message that an explosion had occurred in the Surmalu shopping  center. The death toll under the rubble of the shopping center has  reached 7 people, another 61 were injured. A criminal case has been  initiated under Part 2 of Article 357 of the Criminal Code of the  Republic of Armenia (violation of fire safety rules that negligently  caused the death of a person or other grave consequences), as well as  Part 2 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia  (violation of the rules for the storage, transportation, delivery or  use of flammable or combustible materials, entailed by negligence the  death of a person or other grave consequences).  In connection with  the tragedy, condolences continue to be received from foreign  countries. Embassies of Lithuania, Vatican, Estonia, Mexico, Serbia,  China, the Netherlands, Russia, USA, Iran, Bulgaria, Czech Republic  in Armenia expressed their words of support.  Condolences were also  expressed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Georgia,  Moldova, Montenegro, Greece and Cyprus. 

Karabakh President: Protection of new corridor will be carried out by Russian peacekeepers

Vanyan Gary
NEWS.am
Armenia – Aug 15 2022
16:30, 15.08.2022

Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) President Arayik Harutyunyan on Monday received a group of members of the Union of Relatives of Servicemen Perished and Missing in the Third Artsakh War.

The meeting addressed issues related to the activity of the Union. The importance of joint work with relevant state structures aimed at clarifying legal regulations of the issues under discussion was highlighted during the meeting.

President Harutyunyan also touched upon the latest escalation on the line of contact and the issue of the alternative motorway to connect Artsakh to Armenia, noting that the talk is about a new corridor, the protection of which, according to the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, will be carried out by the Russian peacekeepers deployed in Artsakh.

During the meeting, President Harutyunyan also answered a number of questions raised by the attendees.

Lawlessness continues: Shots fired again in Yerevan

Tatoyan Vazgen
NEWS.am
Armenia – Aug 15 2022
17:17, 15.08.2022

Shots were fired again last night in Yerevan.

According to shamshyan.com, around 00:35 shots were fired at Souvenir restaurant. According to the source, a few hours later, 34-year-old Artur A. and 28-year-old Khachik A. were detained on suspicion of hooliganism.

It was found out that these people were shooting while Armenia was holding its breath watching the extinguishing of the fire in a shopping center and rescuing the people, who were under the debris. According to investigators, Khachik A. was the shooter in the restaurant.

Former Armenian Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan released from jail

Lilit Nahapetian
NEWS.am
Armenia – Aug 15 2022
17:46, 15.08.2022

Former Prosecutor General and former head of the Investigative Committee of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan was released and the required bail has already been paid, Hovsepyan's lawyer Erik Aleksanyan wrote on his Facebook page on Monday.

"Hovsepyan will remain in a medical facility, where he is being prepared for surgery," he wrote.

The court decided on Thursday to replace the arrest of former Prosecutor General and former head of the Investigative Committee Aghvan Hovsepyan with a bail of 100 million drams.

He was charged under Article 310, Article 311, paragraph 2, paragraph 4, Article 38-308, paragraph 1, paragraph 3, Article 38-179, paragraph 1, paragraph 3, Article 190 – 2 episodes, and Article 190, paragraph 1, paragraph 2.