VIDEO: New Footage from Surmalu as EMERCOM Summarizes Undertaken Efforts

The Ministry of Emergency Situations summarizes the work carried out at the Surmalu shopping center.

From August 14 to 24, a total of 1,388 rescuers from the territorial and structural units of the emergency service participated in firefighting and search and rescue operations in shifts.

Fifty-four fire trucks, 15 aerial ladders, 28 rescue vehicles, and 30 support vehicles, along with 2 drones, were involved in the firefighting and search operations.

In total, 63 citizens sought medical assistance from healthcare facilities in Yerevan, of which 2 are still receiving treatment, while the others have been discharged after receiving the necessary medical care.

Psychologists from the psychological support division provided psychological assistance to 69 citizens on-site and through a hotline.

The response efforts also included teams from the Russian-Armenian Humanitarian Response Center, volunteer groups from the Armenian Red Cross Society, specialized groups from the “Art of Survival” public organization, and citizens from Russia and Germany with their trained dogs, as well as other organizations and individual volunteers.

Firefighting and rescue efforts were additionally supported by water trucks, cargo trucks, garbage trucks, tractors, cranes, and other equipment provided by the municipality and private companies.

Ambulance crews were also on duty at the scene.

The fire was contained on August 16 at 2:38 PM and extinguished at 5:49 PM. The area designated for firefighting and rescue operations is estimated to be around 1 hectare.

After the fire and explosion, rescuers retrieved 26 citizens from the rubble, including 10 alive and 16 deceased.