The death toll in the explosion of a fireworks garage facility in the Armenian capital rose to seven, he said On Monday, as rescuers searched for casualties among the wreckage.
Photos from the scene showed emergency responders and volunteers searching for victims amid twisted steel slabs and concrete as firefighters watered the dynamited hull of the garage building.
A loud explosion on Sunday devastated a chimney depot at a popular market in the Armenian capital, triggering a large chimney that sent a powerful plume of thick smoke over central Yerevan.
First, authorities said two other people were killed, but the death toll has risen as the search continues. Another 21 people, in addition to five Iranian nationals and one Russian, are still missing and at least 61 others were injured.
The market, 2 kilometers (more than a mile) south of downtown, is popular for its low costs and variety of products.
There was no immediate word on what caused the fireworks to ignite, but authorities ruled out a terrorist attack.
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