Criminal proceedings have been launched over the car crash on the Ushi bends that claimed nine lives the previous day. The case is being investigated under Part 3 of Article 342 of Armenia’s Criminal Code, which covers violations of road safety requirements or rules governing the safe operation of vehicles that negligently result in the deaths of two or more people.

A preliminary investigation is underway, the Investigative Committee told NEWS.am.

The crash occurred on the evening of November 3, when a Jeep Compass, a Chevrolet Volt, an Opel Zafira and a truck with a trailer collided on the Ushi bends. Nine people were killed and three others injured.

One of the injured victims is in critical condition and remains in intensive care. Another underwent surgery overnight, while the third is undergoing the necessary medical examinations and is in moderately serious condition.

The names of the victims have not yet been released.

Rescuers used special equipment to remove the bodies from the wrecked vehicles and clear the cars from the road.

A NEWS.am correspondent at the scene established that three of those killed were a married couple and their 18-year-old son.

One of the four vehicles involved in the crash, the truck, had Russian license plates.

Part of Ushi has remained without electricity since the accident.