A powerful explosion has rocked a shopping centre and caused a fire in Armenia's capital Yerevan, killing one person and injuring 45 others.
- Rescue teams and civilians searched for people trapped under rubble
- 45 people were injured and one person died following the explosion, fire
- It is not yet known what caused the fireworks to ignite
A spokesman for the emergency services ministry said 26 people had been taken to the hospital with 11 being children.
More than three hours after the early afternoon blast at the Surmalu market, firemen worked to put out the blaze.
Rescue workers and volunteers in civilian clothes searched for victims who might be trapped under slabs of concrete and twisted metal.
An Associated Press reporter at the scene saw two people pulled from the rubble — a woman with an injured leg and a young man who appeared to be unconscious.
Emergencies Minister Armen Pambukhchyan also said two sisters were pulled alive from the rubble.
The market, located 2 kilometres south of the city centre, is popular for its low prices and variety of goods.
Fireworks continued to explode as the firemen and rescuers worked amid thick thick grey smoke seen rising above a building.
An Associated Press reporter at the scene saw two people pulled from the rubble — a woman with an injured leg and a young man who appeared to be unconscious.
Emergencies Minister Armen Pambukhchyan said two sisters were pulled alive from the rubble.
The Surmalu market is about two kilometres south of the city's centre.
There was no immediate word on what caused the fireworks to ignite.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-14/fireworks-explode-in-armenian-mall-killing-injuring-many/101332410