Firefighters at work after explosions ripped through a fireworks warehouse in a shopping mall in Yerevan, Armenia
YEREVAN, Aug 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Blasts ripped through a fireworks warehouse in a shopping centre in the Armenian capital of Yerevan on Sunday, Russian news agencies reported, killing three people and injuring more than 60.
Video footage showed grey smoke billowing over a building and people scurrying away from the area.
Rescuers sifted through twisted metal and rubble in a search for survivors as clouds of dust and smoke hung in the air. Bystanders helped victims move to safe areas.
Interfax news agency quoted Armenia’s Emergency Ministry as saying the body of a third victim had been recovered. Officials had earlier reported two deaths.
Emergencies Minister Armen Pambukhchyan, quoted by Sputnik Armenia news agency, said the fire had been extinguished, but strong winds still posed a threat. He said rescue teams would continue the search for survivors.
The Emergencies Ministry said initial investigation showed two large explosions brought down part of a building housing fireworks.
Armenia’s Health Ministry said 61 people had been injured, with several treated in hospital.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fireworks to detonate.
The disaster comes at a time when the country is already going through a difficult period.
Armenia, a small country with around three million inhabitants, is still recovering from the 2020 war with Azerbaijan, which ended in a heavy defeat which in turn sparked a political crisis.
Armenia’s neighbour, Russia, said via its embassy that it was trying to establish if any of its citizens were victims of the blast.
It offered its condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in the disaster. — NNN-AGENCIES
