6 dead, 17 missing in Armenian shopping center blast

YEREVAN, Aug. 15: At least six people were killed, and 17 are still missing following a huge explosion at a market in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, said the country's Ministry of Emergency Situations on Monday.

A total of 28 people are still hospitalized, the ministry said in a statement.

The statement added that a three-storied building collapsed following the blast, while nearly 350 firefighters and rescuers are now searching for survivors.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan inspected the rescue operations earlier on Monday.

A deadly explosion hit the Surmalu shopping center in Yerevan on Sunday. Local reports said that the blast was initiated at a fireworks warehouse of the market, which caused a massive fire.

The authorities have not elaborated on the cause of the incident.