  Fire in Azerbaijan leaves 25 dead March 2, 2018 - 13:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Twenty-five people were killed in a fire at a drug rehab center in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku early on Friday, March 2, RFE/RL reports. Health Ministry officials said three people had been hospitalized with unspecified injuries. Offiicals said 34 people had been rescued. There was no definite word on what caused the blaze, although an official statement from the Prosecutor-General's Office, the health, interior, and emergencies ministries said a defect in the power grid was suspected. Earlier, official reports had put the death toll higher, with Azerbaijan's APA news agency first reporting that at least 30 people had perished in the blaze. The Emergency Ministry said the fire had been extinguished, adding more details would be released later. Top officials, including Emergency Minister Kamaladdin Heydarov, Interior Minister Ramil Usubov, and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Hasanov, traveled to the site.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity  The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia.Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |
