Armenia raises warehouse blast death toll to sixAugust 15, 2022 - 13:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least six people were killed, more than 60 others were injured and an unknown number of people are feared trapped in rubble after a strong explosion tore through the Surmalu market in Yerevan, Armenia's capital on Sunday, August 14. A five-year-old child and their pregnant mother were among those missing. Firefighters labored into the night to put out the blaze after the blast, which reportedly took place at a fireworks storage, while rescue workers and volunteers searched amid still-exploding fireworks for victims who might be trapped under slabs of concrete. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Emergencies Hayk Kostanyan said on late Sunday evening that 19 people were still missing and noted that the rescue mission would continue to work during the night, which they did. Dozens of fire engines working on the spot managed to put out the fire at the end of the day. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the scene on Monday. He was accompanied by the Mayor of Yerevan Hrachya Sargsyan, Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Pambukhchyan, director of the MES rescue service Armen Gasparyan, the Head of The Inspection Bodies' Coordination Office Artur Asoyan. The Prime Minister was briefed on the progress of search and rescue mission and the fire extinguishing works. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | U.S. believes peace is “possible” in South Caucasus The United States continues to believe that peace is possible in the South Caucasus, Vedant Patel said. Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. |