The Ministry of Emergency Situations informs that on September 1, at 10:00 am, the Regional Crisis Management Center received information that on 31 August, from 9:30 pm to 7:50 am, 11 citizens were hospitalized in various hospital complexes with symptoms of exogenous (methyl alcohol) poisoning.

Gagik N. (born in 1959), Rubik Z. (born in 1951), Gagik S. (born in 1967), Movses H. (born in 1962), Aleksan A. (born in 1966), Rafik B. (born in 1965), Anushavan G. (born in 1962), Stepan G. (born in 1968), Hamlet A. (born in 1971), Karen G. (born in 1965), Matevos S. (born in 1951).

According to the preliminary information, Gagik N., Gagik S., Movses H., Alexan A., Rafik B. and Hamlet A. died.  Rubik Z., Anushavan G., Karen G.,  and Rubik Z., Anushavan G., Karen G., Matthos S., Stepan G. were transferred to “Erebuni” MC and “Armenia” RMC in Yerevan, where the doctors assessed the health condition of the injured as severe.

At 5:10 pm, information was received that Hrant H. (born in 1961), Zhora P. (born in 1961), Varuzhan M. (born in 1990), were hospitalized in Armavir MC with symptoms of methyl alcohol poisoning as well. Nadezhda P. (born in 1958) and Hamazasp P (born in 1951), were transferred to “Armenia” RMC.

The National Crisis Management Center received information from the representative of the RA Ministry of Justice that the cause of death of one of the 11 victims was different.

Information was received that Kostan S. (born in 1976) and Hakob H. (born in 1990) were transferred from Armavir MC to Yerevan “Armenia” RMC with signs of methyl alcohol poisoning.

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The Ministry of Health first announced on 1 September that we have 11 deaths, according to preliminary data, from “alcohol intoxication”. Later, the spokeswoman of the Ministry of Health informed that one of the deaths was registered for another reason.

The Investigative Committee urged all the citizens who had bought alcohol from Armavir resident Ashot Hovsepyan not to use it.

Notably, a criminal case has already been inquired into the incident.

Note: A person that is suspected or accused of an alleged crime is considered innocent until his/her guilt is proved by a court judgment that has come into legal effect pursuant to the procedure determined by RA Criminal Procedure Code.