No facts to prove that Surmalu blast was terror attack- Armenian Investigative Committee

The Chairman of Armenia's Investigative Committee Argishti Kyaramyan said today there were no facts in favor of a version that an explosion at Surmalu shopping center in Yerevan last Sunday that killed 16 people and injured more than 60 others was a terror attack.

YEREVAN, August 18. /ARKA/. The Chairman of Armenia's Investigative Committee Argishti Kyaramyan said today there were no facts in favor of a version that an explosion at Surmalu shopping center in Yerevan last Sunday that killed 16 people and injured more than 60 others was a terror attack.

"The evidence obtained so far indicates that it is a criminal negligence," Kyaramyan said at a government meeting on Thursday.

According to earlier reports, the Investigative Committee opened two criminal cases in connection with the explosion at Surmalu shopping center - violation of fire safety rules and violation of rules of storage, accounting, transportation, sending or use of flammable or combustible substances, resulting by negligence in human death or other grave consequences.

The causes of the explosion have not yet been established, the investigation will consider all possible versions.

Armenia declared two days of national mourning on August 17-18 for the victims of the explosion that occurred at a fireworks warehouse last Sunday killing 16 people, including a pregnant woman and a child and injuring another 61. One person is still being unaccounted for as of today.

The authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh have also declared two days of mourning for the victims of the explosion. -0-