Part of a Balcony of an Emergency Building Collapses in Gyumri

Another collapse has occurred at the Tigran Mets 5 building in Gyumri. A portion of the concrete floor of the balcony belonging to a second-floor apartment owned by Janeta Galstyan has fallen. At the time of the collapse, there were passersby in the area, but no injuries were reported. Rescue personnel have cordoned off the area and prohibited movement in that section, reports Shantnews.am.

According to residents, the collapse followed the asphalt paving of the sidewalk. The work of machinery caused vibrations in the building, which residents believe led to the collapse. According to a conclusion from the seismic service, the balconies are classified as having a level 4 degree of emergency, meaning they are subject to demolition.

Part of the Tigran Mets 5 building has been reinforced through a housing program by the Linsi Foundation, while another section is categorized with a level 3 and partially level 4 emergency status.

“This building has experienced collapses in the past as well. Wooden structures on the third floor collapsed. We have submitted a restoration plan for the building under two separate programs. Currently, we are waiting for a response from the government. The balconies are at level 4 emergency status and are already subject to demolition,” stated Mkrtich Asatryan, the chief specialist of the architecture and construction division of the Shirak regional administration, to Shantnews.

Residents are once again advised to wait until it is determined when funding will be allocated, or if it will be allocated at all. Meanwhile, even partial renovation work in Tigran Mets 5 is not possible. The homeowners’ association has also declined to service the building, citing that current repairs in a building requiring reinforcement are futile.