Search and Rescue Operations Continue: Details from the Ministry of Emergency Situations

As of August 17 at 12:00, search and rescue operations are ongoing.

The fire was contained on August 16 at 14:38 and extinguished at 17:49. According to preliminary data, the area of fire suppression and rescue operations is approximately 1 hectare. A three-story building (around 2889 sq.m) has collapsed.

As a result of the search and rescue operations, the bodies of 16 citizens have been discovered, including:

• Misaq Patvakan's Margaryan, born in 1964
• Anahit Vaghen's Mkhitaryan, born in 1967
• Gemma Sargis' Nazaryan, born in 1960
• Anahit Zarzandi's Khalatyan
• Vardan Gurgeni's Kocharyan, born in 1960
• Gayane Artavazdi's Avetisyan, born in 1965
• Aram Komissari's Hayrapetyan, born in 1980
• Vachagan Vahagni's Yeghoyan, born in 2000
• Erna Manveli's Grigoryan, born in 1980
• Harutun Samveli's Garakyan, born in 1987
• Maryam Armeni's Khachatryan, born in 1992
• Sirarp'i Armeni's Khachatryan, born in 1994
• Marat Karen's Shahbazyan, born in 2018
• Hratchya Fanbergi's Sargsyan, born in 1976
• Artavazd Hayrapetyan, born in 1951
• and one unidentified citizen.

Sixty-two citizens have sought medical attention at healthcare facilities in Yerevan, of whom 5 are still receiving treatment, while the rest have been discharged after receiving appropriate medical care.

Approximately 89 rescue workers are currently active at the scene, including 21 from the Emergency Situations Service of Yerevan, 7 firefighters from Yerevan's fire department, 1 rescue vehicle, 1 fire ladder, operational teams from the National Crisis Management Center, rescue groups from the Special Operations Center, specialized UAVs, and canine units, medical support department, and psychological support service personnel. Furthermore, 20 firefighters-rescuers from the Kotayk regional rescue department and 13 volunteers from the Red Cross humanitarian organization are also involved.

The search and rescue operations are being carried out in 4 areas. Additionally, 1 tractor, 8 dump trucks, 2 garbage trucks, 1 water carrier, and 1 crane from the city administration are engaged in the work.

From August 14 to 17, approximately 665 rescuers and volunteers from the regional and structural divisions of the Emergency Situations Service participated in the firefighting and search operations at the Surmalu shopping center.

The psychological support team on duty is providing assistance to citizens on-site. Citizens can also receive psychological support by calling the "911" hotline.

The firefighting operations on-site are coordinated by Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Pambukhchyan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure G. Sanosyan are also present at the scene.

According to the calls received by the Ministry of Emergency Situations' "911" hotline, the following citizens may be considered missing in the area of the Surmalu shopping center:

1. Gagik Karapetyan
2. Vanik Amirkhanyan

If you have any information regarding the missing citizens, please contact the "911" hotline.

It is reminded that on August 14, at 13:23, the National Crisis Management Center received a report that an explosion occurred at the Surmalu shopping center located at 15 Arshakunyats Street in Yerevan, resulting in a fire that partially collapsed the three-story building.