Yesterday, on May 18, there was an explosion in the Aragatsotn region of Armenia. The incident occurred around 23:15 and the national center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia received a distress call from the 9-11 emergency management center of the National Crisis Management Center located near the “Liana Garden” restaurant complex, close to the village of Argavand. Gagik Shamshyan, a photographer, reported that a car parked near the “Liana Garden” restaurant exploded and gunshots were heard. Before the emergency response team arrived, individuals attempted to confront the driver and civilians present by shooting at the car with a Nissan Tida. The perpetrators managed to escape, though the car was completely burned down. The emergency response team offered first aid to the driver, Arsen G., a 34-year-old resident of Yerevan, who was later transported to the hospital.

Based on preliminary information, the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder detonation.