Armenia, August 15 (BNA) Explosions erupted in a fireworks warehouse in a shopping center in the Armenian capital Yerevan on Sunday, killing three people and injuring more than 60 others.
Rescue workers searched through twisted metal and rubble for survivors as clouds of dust and smoke hung in the air. Bystanders helped the victims move to safe areas.
The Interfax news agency quoted the Armenian Emergencies Ministry as saying that the body of a third victim had been found. Officials had earlier reported two deaths.
The Armenian Sputnik news agency quoted Emergencies Minister Armen Pampukchian as saying that the fire had been extinguished, but strong winds still posed a threat. He said rescue teams would continue searching for survivors through the night.
The Ministry of Emergencies said that preliminary investigations showed that two large explosions brought down part of a building that contained fireworks.
Armenia’s Health Ministry said 61 people were infected, and many of them were treated in hospital.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fireworks to explode.
NM