Ural Vehicle Rammed Barracks Wall Twice to Rescue Colleagues, Investigative Committee Reports

The Investigative Committee's press service has provided details regarding the fire incident at the barracks designated for the personnel of the engineering and assault battalion of Military Unit N, located in the village of Azat, Gegharkunik Province.

As previously reported, on January 19, 2023, around 01:30, a fire broke out at the barracks for the battalion's personnel, resulting in the deaths of several servicemen and varying degrees of injuries to others. A criminal case has been initiated under the fourth part of Article 532 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

In the framework of the criminal proceedings, the circumstances of the tragedy are being investigated, particularly regarding the cause of the fire, the reasons behind the servicemen's deaths, adherence to fire safety regulations at the barracks, and identifying responsible officials along with legal evaluations of their actions or potential inaction.

By the order of the head of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, an investigative team has been formed within the Committee's Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases.

Shortly after the incident on the night of January 19, investigators and an expert commenced inspections at the crime scene, which continued into the first half of the day. During these inspections, numerous items important for the criminal case were discovered and seized. Several eyewitnesses have been interviewed. As a result of the investigative actions conducted so far, including witness testimonies, significant circumstances regarding the incident have been clarified.

According to preliminary information obtained, the engineering and assault battalion stationed at Military Unit N has been located in one of the houses in the village of Azat since May 13, 2021. The house consisted of an entrance hall and two rooms, one serving as an arsenal and the other as a barracks, equipped with bunk beds for soldiers. The building was heated by a wooden stove located in the entrance hall.

On January 18, 2023, an officer from the engineering service was appointed as the head of the engineering and assault battalion and began serving at the given barracks. At around 18:00 on January 18, the battalion's personnel returned to the barracks after completing their assigned work and started going to sleep around 21:30.

On January 19, 2023, around 00:40, most of the personnel were asleep in the barracks, while two contracted drivers had gone to fetch water from a spring. The duty officer was in a kitchen not far from the barracks, engaged in a phone conversation. During this time, the responsible captain asked the duty soldier about the presence of gasoline at the parking lot intended for powering equipment undergoing engineering work. Subsequently, he attempted to ignite the stove using gasoline from a 5-liter plastic container. Eyewitness testimonies confirm that there were several 5-liter containers filled with gasoline in that area. During the crime scene inspection, nine such containers were found.

After pouring gasoline into the stove, it ignited, causing the responsible captain to suffer burns. He threw the gasoline-filled container to the side, which fell inside the barracks. Alongside another contracted soldier who also sustained burns, they managed to escape from the barracks.

Due to the rapid spread of fire throughout the barracks, other soldiers were unable to exit through the main entrance; however, duty soldiers outside were able to help two contracted soldiers escape from the barracks.

One of the outside drivers, using an Ural vehicle, rammed the barracks wall twice in an attempt to create an opening and rescue his colleagues, which resulted in the destruction of a part of the wall. Nevertheless, due to the swift spread of the fire, they were unable to rescue other soldiers inside, leading to the deaths of 15 contracted soldiers. Their bodies were retrieved after the fire was extinguished.

In the initiated criminal proceedings, decisions have been made to recognize victims and collect samples, and forensic examinations have been scheduled. The investigation continues, with all measures being taken to provide complete answers to public interest questions within the scope of the proceedings. Articles in the media related to the incident, containing specific details, will also be subject to verification. The Investigative Committee of Armenia will regularly provide information on the progress and results of the criminal proceedings.