2022 Yerevan explosion

On 14 August 2022, at 13:23 local time, a large explosion took place in the Surmalu shopping centre in the Armenian capital of Yerevan. It caused widespread destruction and fire, leaving dozens of dead and injured.[1] The explosion killed 16 people and injured 63, with nine missing as of 20 August.[2][3]

2022 Yerevan explosion
First responders on the scene
Date14 August 2022 (2022-08-14)
Time13:23 (AMT)
Venue"Surmalu" shopping centre
LocationYerevan, Armenia
Coordinates40°09′54.8″N 44°30′28.2″E / 40.165222°N 44.507833°E / 40.165222; 44.507833
TypeExplosion and fire
CauseUnder investigation
Deaths16
Non-fatal injuries63
Missing2

Events edit

The explosion occurred at a fireworks warehouse, which tore through the Surmalu shopping centre in Yerevan.[4] A large fire ensued and destroyed much of the market.[5] 200 firefighters attended the scene.[6][7]

Response edit

The victims were named the following day.[8] Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the scene of the blast with Mayor of Yerevan Hrachya Sargsyan, Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Pambukhchyan, director of the rescue service Armen Gasparyan, and head of the Office of Coordination of Inspection Bodies Artur Asoyan.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ "Death toll in fireworks depot blast in Armenia reaches 7". AP News. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Число жертв взрыва в ТЦ "Сурмалу" достигло 16: без вести пропали 9 граждан". panorama.am (in Russian). Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Yerevan market explosion: Search and rescue operations resume". news.am. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Fireworks blast at Yerevan market kills 2, injures 60". AP News. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  5. ^ Armenia: Firework explosion kills five, archived from the original on 15 August 2022, retrieved 15 August 2022
  6. ^ "VIDEO : Firefighters douse the flames after an explosion at a market in Yerevan". euronews. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Fireworks explosion rocks Armenia shopping market". BBC News. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  8. ^ Ghazanchyan, Siranush (15 August 2022). "Victims of Surmalu blast identified". Public Radio of Armenia. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  9. ^ Ghazanchyan, Siranush (15 August 2022). "PM Pashinyan visits the scene of Surmalu blast". Public Radio of Armenia. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.