Tomorrow We Will Have a Clear Idea of When We Can Complete the Rescue Operations – Deputy Minister

Rescue operations are still underway at the site of the Surmalu shopping center, where voices of people had been heard earlier, but unfortunately, we have yet to see any results, said the First Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations, Artyush Grigoryan, in a conversation with journalists.

In response to the question about the likelihood of finding citizens trapped under the rubble alive, the deputy minister stated, "Unfortunately, the probability is low that we can discover any survivors under the debris, but let's hope that it happens nonetheless."

When asked about the difficulties faced in the rescue efforts, Artyush Grigoryan mentioned that the presence of the burned structure is primarily hindering rescue operations. The Ministry of Emergency Situations is conducting rescue work from all sides of the building, as there may still be missing citizens inside.

"But since the building could collapse at any moment, this creates certain complications. Additionally, the entire area is filled with debris and reinforced concrete structures, making movement quite challenging. We need to operate heavier equipment to intensify the work, but at the same time, as you understand, there may be people under the rubble, which introduces certain nuances and difficulties. Therefore, alongside heavy machinery, we are also using human hands for the work," he said.

When asked whether there is a need to request assistance from other countries, the deputy minister responded negatively, noting that the resources of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are sufficient.

Artyush Grigoryan also mentioned that volunteers are being engaged in the rescue work; however, they avoid involving them in operations that require more professional skills, as volunteers may harm themselves during the process.

The deputy minister found it difficult to specify exactly how many more days the operations would continue, although he noted that they would still last for several days. "Tomorrow, in the second half of the day, we will have a clearer idea of approximately when we can conclude the rescue operations," he added.