French Colleagues Were Yelling 'Help, Help': A Young Accompanying Journalist Has Died

Journalists from the French newspaper "Le Monde" and their accompanying staff were subjected to shelling in the city of Martuni, Artsakh. Independent journalist Hermine Virabyan told "Hetq" that a local resident guiding the group of journalists was killed during the shelling while the reporters were injured.

French journalists Alan Kaval and Raphael Charles arrived in Stepanakert on September 30. After working in the capital, they, along with journalist Hermine Virabyan, visited Martuni on October 1. They planned to assess damaged houses and speak with residents. A local young man named Grisha, who was familiar with the area, joined their group.

They were supposed to visit five houses. After finishing filming at the first house, they stepped outside. As they tried to approach a vehicle marked with "Press", they heard the sound of shells in the sky. For a moment, they thought the noise was coming from a distance, but quickly realized and began to run in different directions.

“Our shocked faces were evident, and we understood that it was coming close to us. It seemed for a moment that it was happening far away. We started running chaotically, we were separated, and then I heard voices yelling. My French colleagues were screaming 'help, help',” described Hermine Virabyan.

The journalist with a bloodied face was Alan Kaval, who was taken to a hospital in Stepanakert for surgery. His condition is extremely serious. The other reporter from "Le Monde", Raphael, suffered shrapnel injuries to his leg and is being operated on at the hospital in Martuni.

While at the hospital, Hermine Virabyan again heard the sounds of explosions. However, since the road was not safe and Raphael's situation was not critical, they decided to operate on him right there in Martuni.

“Alan is in Stepanakert, but there is no information. I am waiting for Raphael's surgery to finish. We are in touch with the French embassy in Armenia; they are concerned and trying to do everything possible to help and support us,” said Hermine Virabyan.

The vehicle transporting the journalists was also damaged, and the driver sustained minor injuries to the abdomen.