A car exploded near the US Embassy in Armenia, prompting a huge emergency service response. The incident occurred at around 6pm local time, when an explosion went off in a car on Isakov Avenue, sparking a fire. According to journalist Gagik Shamshyan, who was at the scene, multiple emergency crews were quickly mobilised.

He saw one combat crew from the Yerevan Fire and Rescue Squad, part of the country’s Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Officers from the 4th Battalion of the Yerevan City Regiment of the Patrol Service also attended, led by Regiment Commander Andranik Isakhanyan and Battalion Commander Arsen Stepanyan.

Traffic was stopped from the embassy to the Haghtanak Bridge until firefighters finished tackling the blaze. 

Emergency services are still working to determine if anyone was injured and the owner of the car. Shamshyan said the driver has been taken to the National Burn Centre.