Why the Explosion of ‘Snowy Refrigerator’ Failed: Emergency Situations Ministry Clarifies

On July 24, the Emergency Situations Ministry deployed two firefighting squads from the Yerevan City Rescue Department to ensure safety during the explosion work at the ‘Snowy Refrigerator’ company building located at 9/2 Arshakunyats Avenue, conducted by ‘NORTEKH SHIN’ LLC. The operation lasted from 16:22 to 20:30.

As part of the preparations for the explosion work, from 14:00 onwards, the Rescue Department employees conducted rounds to inform the heads of nearby organizations about safety measures. From 16:30 to 20:00, traffic and pedestrian movement were restricted on sections including Agatangeghios Street – Grigor Lousavorich Street, Agatangeghios Street – Arshakunyats Avenue – Kristapori Street, and Kristapori Street - Sevan Street - Arshakunyats Avenue.

In addition to the rescue teams, an ambulance brigade and police units were present on site to ensure security.

At 19:41 and 19:46, partial explosions were conducted on one section of the building (customs warehouse). However, no collapse occurred as a result of the explosions.

According to the management of ‘NORTEKH SHIN’ LLC, the failure to cause a collapse was due to some explosives not functioning properly, caused by a malfunction of an electric device installed in the building. The electric device has been submitted for examination to the relevant laboratory. The carrying columns of the building have been partially weakened, but currently, there is no threat of building collapse. The installed explosives are deemed safe, and police forces continue to monitor the area.

For safety reasons, the firefighting squad of the Yerevan City Rescue Department will continue to maintain vigilance.

Present on site were Emergency Situations Ministry Director Major General V. Gabrielyan, Yerevan City Rescue Department Head Colonel A. Harutyunyan, and Chief Engineer of ‘NORTEKH SHIN’ LLC V. Petrosyan.

The explosion work will be carried out in a few days, and more information will be provided in advance.