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    Categories: 2023

Barracks fire: Coroner’s report released

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 14:53,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. The first coroner’s report in the barracks fire was made public on March 11.

The cause of death of 8 of the 15 soldiers who died in the barracks fire was determined by the coroner to be carbon monoxide and burn shocks, the legal representative of the families of the victims Norayr Norikyan told reporters. The bodies of the other 7 victims are still undergoing postmortem examination.

15 troops died in January 2023 in what authorities said was a major fire that broke out at a military barracks in the village of Azat. Authorities said the fire was caused accidentally by an officer who attempted to ignite a heater using gasoline – in violation of safety rules.

“I am informing you that today we received the coroner’s report of the deaths of eight of the fifteen servicemen who died in the military barracks in Azat village. According to the coroner’s report, the cause of death of the servicemen was carbon monoxide and burn shocks,” he said. The toxicology report was clear and determined that there were no drugs or any other foreign substances.

Norikyan, who represents 13 of the 15 victims, said he will deliver a statement on behalf of the victims’ next of kin soon.

Emil Lazarian: “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS