Ministry develops procedure for providing assistance to families of those killed and injured in Surmalu blast

YEREVAN, August 29. /ARKA/. The Armenian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs said it has developed a procedure for providing social assistance to the families of those people who were killed and injured by an explosion at Surmalu trade center in Yerevan on August 14. The plan has been submitted for government’s approval.

According to the ministry, the circle of people eligible to the assistance has been specified. The assistance will be provided to the families of the victims and those who suffered injuries and were treated in hospitals.

The fire and the subsequent explosion at a fireworks warehouse at Surmalu trade center killed 16 people and injured 63 others.

Three warehouse operators were arrested on charges of negligent homicide of two or more people. The detained deputy director of the shopping center, who is charged with violation of fire safety rules in the shopping center, which resulted in the death of a person by negligence or other serious consequences, has been released.

Last week, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan said that the authorities will not pay compensation to owners of stores, which sustained serious damages du to the explosion. According to him, the government cannot assume the costs that insurance companies should bear. -0-