YEREVAN. – The first vehicle was removed at 3.21 p.m. on Tuesday from terrain with MOD helicopter MI-8 in Armenia’s Tavush Region, Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) rescue service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

It was discussed to use helicopter to avoid new risk of collapse as heavy machinery could be dangerous. Georgian side offered support but Armenians rejected it by saying that there is no need at the moment.

Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Yeritsyan headed to Tavush Region by the MOD helicopter. Favorable weather conditions at the accident site do not hamper work of rescuers. 

Armenian News-NEWS.am earlier reported that On October 2, a landslide occurred at Vanadzor-Bagratashen section—nearby Ayrum railway station’s bridge and close to Lchkadzor village—of M6 Interstate Highway. The 130-meter-long and 60-meter-deep terrain covered the road, rendering it completely impassable. A total of 35 vehicles have remained under terrain.

Five people are declared missing, they are: Armen Sorsumatyan (Yerevan resident, born in 1973), Mekhak Sorsumatyan (Yerevan resident, born in 1964), Norik Mirzoyan (Lchkadzor village resident, born in 1939), Arthur Hakobyan (Georgian citizen, born in 1992), and Gurgen Hakobyan (Georgian citizen, born in 1949).  

MES Crisis Control Center’s hotline numbers are: 010-52-96-90, 010-36-02-97, 060 44 02 38.