Search and Rescue Operations Continue: Ministry of Emergency Situations

The Ministry of Emergency Situations reports that as of August 17 at 19:30, the search and rescue operations are ongoing.

The fire was contained at 14:38 on August 16 and extinguished by 17:49. Preliminary data indicates that the area affected by firefighting and rescue operations is approximately 1 hectare. A three-story building (about 2889 square meters) has collapsed. As a result of the search and rescue efforts, 16 bodies of citizens have been discovered (including Misak Patvakan's Margaryan, born in 1964; Anahit Vazgen's Mkrtchyan, born in 1967; Jemma Sargsyan's Nazaryan, born in 1960; Anahit Zarzandi's Khalatyan; Vardan Grigori's Kocharyan, born in 1960; Gayane Artavazd's Avetisyan, born in 1965; Aram Komissari's Hayrapetyan, born in 1980; Vahagan Vahagni's Yeghoyan, born in 2000; Ern Manvel's Grigoryan, born in 1980; Harutyun Samvel's Garakyan, born in 1987; Mariam Armen's Khachatryan, born in 1992; Sirarpi Armen's Khachatryan, born in 1994; Marat Karen's Shahbazyan, born in 2018; Hrachya Fanberg's Sargsyan, born in 1976; Artavazd Hayrapetyan, born in 1951; and one unidentified citizen).

62 citizens have sought medical help at hospitals in Yerevan, 4 of whom are continuing to receive treatment, while the others have been discharged after receiving appropriate care.

Approximately 94 rescue service personnel are currently working at the scene, including 21 firefighters from the Yerevan rescue department, 7 firefighters and 1 rescue vehicle, 1 fire truck, operatives from the National Crisis Management Center, rescue teams from the Special Operations Division of the Rescue Forces, specialized UAV units, canine units, the Medical Support Division, and on-duty groups from the Fire Suppression and Rescue Organization department, as well as a psychological support officer. Additionally, 20 firefighters from the Kotayk regional rescue department and 13 volunteers from the Red Cross humanitarian organization are on site.

Search and rescue operations are being carried out across 4 sectors. Three tractors, 7 dump trucks, 2 water trucks, and 1 crane from the city municipality have also been involved in the efforts. From August 14 to 17, approximately 935 rescuers participated in the firefighting and search and rescue operations at the Surmalu shopping center, rotating in shifts.

The psychological support team is providing assistance to citizens on-site, and they can also receive psychological support by calling the "911" hotline. The firefighting operations at the scene are coordinated by Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Pambukhchyan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures G. Sanosyan have also been present at the scene.

As a result of calls received at the Ministry of Emergency Situations' "911" hotline, the following citizens have been reported missing in the area of the Surmalu shopping center: 1. Gagik Karapetyan 2. Vanik Amirkhanyan.