Yerevan City Council: 27 people missing after explosion at city market

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The Yerevan City Council reported 27 people missing after the explosion at the Surmalu market in the Armenian capital on Sunday. 
 
"As of the moment, three people were killed, 61 injured, 27 went missing as a result of the explosion in the Surmalu shopping center," Levon Sardaryan, press secretary of the Yerevan mayor's office, wrote on social networks.

The Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations told Sputnik that three bodies were removed from under the rubble.

🚨🇦🇲Video: Massive explosion in #Armenia's capital #Yerevan. pic.twitter.com/hycFbMRAaL

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According to the Armenian Health Ministry, the condition of 36 of the injured is assessed as moderate, and 22 people have been discharged from the hospital. 
 
The fate of 20 individuals remains unknown, the emergency ministry told Sputnik. 
 
Earlier in the day, an explosion hit the Surmalu wholesale market in Yerevan, sparking a large fire, according to the ministry.

According to the Yerevan City Council, the explosion was a result of a warehouse of pyrotechnic materials that exploded at the scene.

Explosion at #Yerevan's Wholesale Market — casualties reported

According to preliminary data, the fire broke out at a firework warehouse at the Surmalu wholesale market, which caused a detonation.

The number of casualties and the severity of injuries is not specified yet. pic.twitter.com/JdbFm5YdJZ

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"An explosion rocked the Surmalu market, after which a fire started with the third category assigned. A firefighting and rescue team was sent to the spot, and later two more," the ministry said.

Three underage youngsters have also been identified among the injured. The market is located not far from the center of Yerevan.

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