2 Individuals Placed Under Travel Restrictions in Connection with the “Surmalu” Trade Center Incidents
The preliminary investigation into the fire that occurred on April 6, 2021, and the explosion on August 14, 2022, at the “Surmalu” Trade Center has been completed. It has been established that Irina Madatova, the director of the “Surmalu” Trade Center, and Vardan Manukyan, the deputy director for trade organization of the company, allegedly violated fire safety regulations. Criminal charges have been filed against them for violating fire safety rules or requirements, which, through negligence, resulted in human death or other severe consequences (Article 357, Part 2). A travel restriction has been imposed on them as a preventive measure. This was reported by the Investigative Committee.
The investigation also revealed that the fire on April 6, 2021, was caused by an emergency mode in the electrical supply system of the “Surmalu” Trade Center. The fire resulted in damages amounting to approximately 46 million AMD to the company, around 15 million AMD worth of property belonging to 17 stall owners at the trade center, and about 504 million AMD worth of property owned by individual entrepreneurs.
During the fire in the same warehouse on August 14, 2022, the spread of the fire could not be prevented due to the aforementioned violations. This eventually led to a powerful explosion.
It should be noted that 18 people lost their lives in the “Surmalu” explosion. Numerous individuals sustained injuries of varying severity, and approximately 105 people suffered property damage. The explosion caused the collapse of the trade center and nearby buildings, the destruction or damage of various goods owned by individuals conducting commercial activities in the trade center, and rendered several dozen vehicles unusable.