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 | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |