By Narine Daneghyan
Reporter
YEREVAN, Armenia – An explosion of gas balloons during a Republican Party
of Armenia rally in the public square Friday injured many people.
of Armenia rally in the public square Friday injured many people.
The rally,
which was being held ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections, attracted many
thousands of people.
which was being held ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections, attracted many
thousands of people.
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| Flag of Armenia |
News reports
said the balloons exploded overhead and started to burn, melting rubber down onto
the people at the rally. Emergency services said a cigarette could have caused
a fire that led to the explosion, and an investigation is underway.
said the balloons exploded overhead and started to burn, melting rubber down onto
the people at the rally. Emergency services said a cigarette could have caused
a fire that led to the explosion, and an investigation is underway.
An
announcement from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia said more
than 150 citizens had been hospitalized because of the explosion and that about
half of them remained in the hospital.
announcement from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia said more
than 150 citizens had been hospitalized because of the explosion and that about
half of them remained in the hospital.
Armenian President
Serj Sargsyan announced that the accident at the Republic Square hurt all of
the country’s people.
Serj Sargsyan announced that the accident at the Republic Square hurt all of
the country’s people.
“Thanks God
we avoided irreversible consequences,” Sargsyan said. “At the moment all the
injured people receive assistance, while for further recovery, if necessary,
the best specialists will be invited to Armenia. The law enforcement bodies
have launched an investigation, those guilty will be found and punished in
accordance with the law. I call for presence of mind. Let us pray for the
injured people and wish them fast recovery.”
we avoided irreversible consequences,” Sargsyan said. “At the moment all the
injured people receive assistance, while for further recovery, if necessary,
the best specialists will be invited to Armenia. The law enforcement bodies
have launched an investigation, those guilty will be found and punished in
accordance with the law. I call for presence of mind. Let us pray for the
injured people and wish them fast recovery.”
I didn’t yet
have opportunity to talk with those who were wounded, because most of them are
in shock, the others are still in the hospitals.
have opportunity to talk with those who were wounded, because most of them are
in shock, the others are still in the hospitals.
On thing is
clear: such a huge tragedy hasn’t happened in Yerevan for a long time.
clear: such a huge tragedy hasn’t happened in Yerevan for a long time.
Today, Saturday, is called the “day of silence.” Tomorrow Parliamentary
elections will be held. This tragedy is a shock for everybody, from the
political parties to the civilians.
elections will be held. This tragedy is a shock for everybody, from the
political parties to the civilians.
Check back with Youth Journalism International for updates about the
explosion and the elections.
explosion and the elections.
Wow. Does anyone have any idea what was in the balloons? If I remember correctly from high school chemistry, Helium is inert and shouldn't burn… so is it possible that someone inadvertently used Hydrogen?