INTERNATIONAL

Explosions have ripped through a fireworks warehouse in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, killing at least five people and injuring dozens more.

Video footage from the Surmalu market on Sunday showed grey smoke billowing over a building and people scurrying away from the area.

Rescue workers sifted through twisted metal and rubble in a search for survivors, as clouds of dust and smoke hung in the air.

Bystanders helped victims move to safe areas.

“Fireworks, fireworks — everything shattered in one minute,” said one witness. “People could not get out of the stores.”

The emergency situations ministry said in a statement that preliminary information indicated that two large explosions had brought down part of a building housing fireworks, which set off a fire.

At least five people were killed, and about 40 were hospitalised, it added.

Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Pambukhchyan, quoted by the Sputnik Armenia news agency, said the fire had been extinguished, but strong winds still posed a threat.

He said rescue teams would continue the search for survivors through the night.

“It’s been an utter shock”, said Maria Titizan, a Yerevan-based journalist. “This is the first time in my memory that such an explosion, such a tragedy has happened in the capital city.

“Everybody is glued to the news and social media to find out what’s happening.”