In Yerevan, there was a strong explosion in the territory of the wholesale and retail trade center of Surmalu. An explosion followed by a fire and the collapse of the building took place on the afternoon of Sunday, August 14, in a pyrotechnics warehouse, the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations said, citing preliminary data. At least one person died as a result, according to the agency. Rescuers and firefighters are at the scene.

The head of the Yerevan Ambulance Service, Taguhi Stepanyan, told Interfax that seven people were taken to hospitals. “These are not complete data, some of the victims were hospitalized in our cars, others in others. There is no complete data at the moment,” she said. RIA Novosti, citing the Armenian Ministry of Health, indicates that the number of victims has increased to 26 people. TASS, citing eyewitnesses, writes that there are deaths as a result of the explosions.

The Novosti-Armenia agency, citing its sources, reports that a fireworks warehouse is on fire. Photographs and videos posted on social media show a cloud of thick black smoke, and subsequent explosions are also reported. The Surmalu market is located about two kilometers south of the center of the Armenian capital.