Photos: A Day of Mourning in Armenia

Today marks the first day of mourning in Armenia. In the morning, flags on government buildings—including the Cabinet, Parliament, Constitutional Court, City Hall, and ministries—were lowered to half-mast and adorned with a black ribbon.

It is important to note that in Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, today, August 17, and tomorrow, August 18, have been declared mourning days in memory of the victims of the explosion at the Surmalu shopping center.

According to the law on the national flag of the Republic of Armenia, the flag is officially lowered on designated mourning days or during mourning ceremonies to the middle of the flagpole. A black ribbon equal to the length of the flag is attached to the top of the flag.

As per the law on audiovisual media, the airing of advertisements and entertainment programs is prohibited by broadcasters on state-declared mourning and commemorative days. Broadcasting such programs incurs a fine of 0.03 percent of revenue, but not less than 400 times the established minimum wage.

Furthermore, the leaders of all state institutions and local self-government bodies in the Republic of Artsakh have been instructed to lower the state flag of Artsakh on this day of mourning both in the Republic of Artsakh and at Armenian representations in foreign countries.

We remind you that the explosion at the Surmalu shopping center on August 14 resulted in 16 fatalities. Two citizens are considered missing, and the total number of injured is 61. Seven injured individuals are still receiving treatment in various hospitals, with their health condition assessed as satisfactory. Others who were hospitalized have been discharged with positive health dynamics.

Additionally, 21 vehicles have been recovered from the rubble.