Barracks fire: Coroner's report released

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. The first coroner’s report in the barracks fire was made public on March 11.

The cause of death of 8 of the 15 soldiers who died in the barracks fire was determined by the coroner to be carbon monoxide and burn shocks, the legal representative of the families of the victims Norayr Norikyan told reporters. The bodies of the other 7 victims are still undergoing postmortem examination.

15 troops died in January 2023 in what authorities said was a major fire that broke out at a military barracks in the village of Azat. Authorities said the fire was caused accidentally by an officer who attempted to ignite a heater using gasoline – in violation of safety rules.

“I am informing you that today we received the coroner’s report of the deaths of eight of the fifteen servicemen who died in the military barracks in Azat village. According to the coroner’s report, the cause of death of the servicemen was carbon monoxide and burn shocks,” he said. The toxicology report was clear and determined that there were no drugs or any other foreign substances.

Norikyan, who represents 13 of the 15 victims, said he will deliver a statement on behalf of the victims’ next of kin soon.