Tragic Incident in Martuni: 62-Year-Old Homeowner Suffocates and Dies in Apartment

A tragic incident occurred today, December 30, in the Gegharkunik region. At approximately 15:35, the Martuni police department received a call reporting that there was a man's body in an apartment on Getapnya 1st Street in Martuni.

According to photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan, an operational group from the Martuni police department arrived at the scene, headed by department chief Stepan Hakobyan and deputy chief Garik Gerasimyants.

A group from the Investigative Committee of Armenia’s Gegharkunik regional investigative department also arrived under the direction of investigator Kocharyan.

Police and investigators found the body of the homeowner, 62-year-old Manvel Khalkhatiyan, in the specified house. They determined that smoke had escaped from the wooden stove in the house, causing smoke to fill the apartment and partially burn the floor and some property.

Preliminary information indicates that he likely died from the smoke inhalation. Investigator Kocharyan has initiated material preparations on the case, and several expert examinations have been appointed, including a forensic examination of the body.