A giant mushroom fireball exploded over a major capital city after liquified gas ignited at a filling station, leaving seven people wounded.
Police were examining the cause of the incident which led to major disruption in Yerevan, Armenia.
Russian energy giant Gazprom supplied the gas, with initial reports suggesting a tank had exploded on the outskirts of Yerevan.
Gas supplies to subscribers in Abovyan, Kotai region, were halted due to the explosion, reported supplier Gazprom Armenia CJSC.
‘More than 30 fire fighting crews are working at the scene of the explosion,’ said the spokesman for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia, Narek Sargsyan.
‘Work is currently underway to cool down and extinguish the fire.’
Kotay region governor Aaron Sahakyan complained that safety hazards had been identified at the site but it had remained open as litigation progressed.
‘We have sent reports more than once that the gas station has problems,’ he said.
‘The owner, unfortunately, did not admit this and went to court.
‘There was a court decision. The gas station was not closed because (the litigation) was pending.
‘I believe that the station should have been closed.”
The Armenian health ministry said: ‘In total, seven people were provided with medical help.
‘Two victims are in the intensive care unit: Their health condition is assessed as extremely serious.
‘Four victims are in stable serious condition.’
The explosion comes amid tensions between Russia and Armenia, which is seeking to loosen its ties with Moscow.
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