A Thick-Trunked Tree Topples in Central Yerevan, Damaging Lexus and Mercedes

For more than an hour, firefighters and rescue teams from the Emergency Situations Ministry, along with employees from the central district administration, have been waiting for officials from the Yerevan Municipality’s landscaping department to arrive and decide how to remove the thick-trunked tree that has toppled at 4 Ghazar Parpetsi Street, blocking the road and damaging parked Lexus and Mercedes vehicles.

According to photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan at the scene, the giant tree was uprooted and fell due to strong winds, damaging a Russian-plated Lexus and a Mercedes with license plate 05 MM 100. Fortunately, preliminary reports indicate that there were no casualties.

In discussions with reporters, local residents expressed their frustrations: “We have repeatedly contacted the Yerevan Municipality, yet it seems the mayor is indifferent to our appeals. We even warned that the tree posed a danger and would eventually fall. We offered to remove it ourselves, but we were told that doing so would result in hefty fines. It’s a lucky coincidence that no one was harmed, but this is a very busy street with people passing by all the time. Who would be responsible if someone had been injured? We don’t even know who will compensate for the damages.”

Currently, rescuers have cordoned off the area, but no action can be taken as officials from the municipality state that nobody is allowed to touch the fallen tree until someone from the mayor's office arrives or a decision is made.