Emergency Incident in Syunik Province: Hazardous Chemicals Discharged into Araks River

An emergency incident took place in Syunik Province on April 18. The senior operative of the criminal investigation unit of the Meghri police department received operational information that hazardous chemical and biological materials were incorrectly used, stored, transported, and disposed of at the 'Agarak Copper-Molybdenum Combine' LLC, violating safety regulations.

As a result of the operations of the combine in the area known as 'Plavdagh' in Meghri community, chemical-laden accumulated wastewater was released.

According to photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan, a police operative group that arrived at the site found that the wastewater had been discharged into the Araks River. This blockage has resulted in significant environmental damage, directly harming the fauna and flora of the river and its adjacent areas as chemicals flooded the road at kilometer 381 of the Yerevan-Meghri border road, where the culvert leading to the Araks River has been obstructed.

Materials are being prepared by the Meghri police regarding the incident, and a forensic chemical examination has been appointed.