Category: 2022

 12:19,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. Parliament will hold an emergency discussion during its upcoming session on the bill seeking to introduce stricter control on the use of fireworks, Civil Contract Party Board Member Tigran Avinyan told reporters near the Surmalu market where search-and-rescue operations are ongoing following the deadly August 14 explosion.

“The search-and-rescue operations are nearing completion. I’d like to specially underscore the high-quality work done by the rescuers and thank them. Regarding what has happened, it was very regrettable and sobering. I am sure this will be an occasion to think about how these materials are stored and the use of fireworks during private occasions. Back in 2021, a bill was discussed and approved by the government which would virtually restrict any use of fireworks during private events. The use of such materials would be allowed only during national and municipal holidays. There is a large business sector linked to this issue, however I believe that this strict decision must nevertheless be taken. I have spoken to Member of Parliament Sisak Gabrielyan, who co-authored that bill, and this issue will be debated by an emergency procedure during the first sitting of parliament,” Avinyan said.

Asked whether or not the control was insufficient given that the inspection agency had recorded numerous fire-safety violations, Avinyan said that nevertheless the storage of 4 tons of pyrotechnics in a single place is already a big risk in itself and even the best cooling systems wouldn’t have ensured safety.

“Storing 4 tons of pyrotechnic materials in a single place poses big hazards. A small spark can bring to such consequences. A criminal case is opened and investigators will determine all circumstances. Besides, I think we ourselves ought to abandon this culture of fireworks. People living in buildings some 10 kilometers away shouldn’t necessarily participate in an event where fireworks are used. On one hand we breach their peace, and on the other hand we see the consequences that can happen as a result of keeping these kinds of materials,” Avinyan said.

Avinyan called on the government to address the safety issue of storing hazardous materials in this market, as well as elsewhere.

Earlier authorities said that 4 tons of explosive materials were stored in the firework warehouse which exploded in the Surmalu market.

 12:20,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev offered condolences over the deadly market explosion in Yerevan.

In a letter of condolence to PM Nikol Pashinyan, the Kazakh president expressed deep sorrow and condolences to the families of the victims.

 12:21,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The Embassy of Georgia in Armenia expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the Yerevan market explosion.

“The Embassy of Georgia in the Republic of Armenia is expressing deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who died in the powerful explosion which happened Sunday in the Surmalu trade center in Yerevan. At this difficult time, we express our solidarity to our Armenian friends,” the embassy said.

 12:25,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The August 17 and 18 concerts of the Symphonic Yerevan International Music Festival have been cancelled as Armenia is mourning the victims of the August 14 Surmalu market explosion, the State Symphonic Orchestra said.

“We express our condolences to the families of the victims of the Surmalu trade center explosion and we wish speedy recovery to those injured,” the State Symphonic Orchestra added in a statement.

National days of mourning are declared in Armenia on August 17 and 18 in memory of those who died in the Surmalu trade center explosion.

 13:22,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. 5 of the 62 people who were injured in the Surmalu explosion are still hospitalized and continue receiving treatment in various hospitals of Yerevan, the ministry of emergency situations said.

 13:42,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. Oxana and Denis, a married couple who are trained rescuers specializing in K9-assisted search-and-rescue (SAR) operations working for “@fire International Disaster Response Germany”, were spending their weekend in the mountainous Armenian countryside when they heard the news of the explosion in the Surmalu trading center in Yerevan on August 14.

Oxana, from Russia, and Denis, from Belgium, were contacted by their longtime colleagues from the Armenian Rescue Service with whom they had participated in international exercises and maintain close cooperation. They immediately raced back to Yerevan, geared up and arrived at the Surmalu market with Sheeva and Shakti – two highly trained search-and-rescue Belgian Malinois dogs.

Oxana and Denis (pictured in yellow protective gear) stand in the rubble at the Surmalu trade center in Yerevan which was hit by a powerful explosion on August 14.

The Belgian Malinois dogs are extremely versatile and are frequently trained for use as assistance dogs, detection dogs, guard dogs, guide dogs, police dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

“We were hiking on a mountain outside Yerevan but we immediately returned to the city upon hearing the news of the explosion. We have a daughter, we didn’t know with whom to leave her which caused some additional difficulties and that’s why we arrived at the scene a bit late, some 6 hours after the blast, but even if we had arrived earlier the search-and-rescue dogs couldn’t have been used because there were still some explosions and fire happening. First it is necessary to ensure minimal safe conditions for rescuers and dogs and then start the work. But even in this difficult conditions the Armenian rescuers did an excellent job and were able to save lives from the very beginning,” Oxana told ARMENPRESS.

Oxana at the blast site assisting in the search-and-rescue efforts for more than 48 hours

@fire International Disaster Response Germany has more than 400 members and provides support during disasters anywhere around the world. The search-and-rescue Belgian Malinois dogs Shakti and Sheeva were trained in the organization.  

“Our organization supports in tackling wildfires, explosions and earthquakes. Now some of our members are battling wildfires in Germany. Our organization provided support in the aftermath of the 2020 powerful explosion in Beirut as well,” Oxana said.

She once again praised the Armenian rescuers for their good work in such chaotic and difficult conditions.

Oxana and an Armenian rescuer inspecting the blast site after the search-and-rescue dog detected indication of a trapped person under the rubble

“The more time passes the less chances for finding anyone alive under the rubble, especially when there is fire and smoke. These were very difficult conditions. I am aware that there are questions in the society as to why the search and rescue operations aren’t proceeding faster. I can say the following, the work can’t be done any faster, this requires some time. These were very difficult conditions and the rescuers did an excellent job. This wasn’t the first time we worked together with the Armenian rescue service and our joint work was excellent. Yesterday night (August 16) our dogs were able to detect indication of a missing person after which rescuers began searching,” Oxana said.

Oxana and Sheeva – the highly trained Belgian malinois search-and-rescue dog searching for people trapped in the rubble

Oxana and Denis are working in Armenia for already 1 year.

“This is a small world. I met the Armenian rescuers during international exercises. We help each other, it was that way before, and I think it will be the case in the future as well,” Oxana concluded.

Sheeva asking for appreciation for job-well-done. 

Article by Karen Khachatryan

Photos by Hayk Manukyan

 14:13,

GYUMRI, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The Gyumri Railway Station has resumed operations after receiving a bomb threat on August 17 which was eventually determined to be a fake threat.

The bomb threat was made via email.

The station was evacuated and searched by police and rescue teams.

No explosives were found.

 14:26,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. An ethnic-Armenian Turkish lawyer is set to become the first ever Armenian to hold the post of district governor in Turkey after his appointment as the District Governor of Babadag, a city and district in the Denizli Province, aynahaber.net reported.

Berk Acar, born in 1995, will assume the position in the coming days.

He attended Private Sahakyan Nunyan Armenian Secondary School and Luys High School.

 15:58,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The Investigative Committee is asking people not to use any firework or related products bought from the Surmalu trade center and hand over the items to the nearest police stations.

 16:12,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. A 16-year-old child drowned in the village of Gishi, Artsakh after entering the “Ashtarak” reservoir for swimming, local authorities reported.

The State Service for Emergency Situations of Artsakh said authorities received a 911 call that a child is drowning at the reservoir at 10:45.

The child entered the reservoir around 10:30. 

First-responders recovered the body. 

The Investigative Committee is investigating.