Explosion at Yerevan landfill injures two workers, officials cite biogas buildup

An explosion at the Nubarashen landfill in Yerevan injured two employees on Saturday evening, municipal officials said, after biogas fumes ignited inside a restroom facility.

Deputy Director Danielyan told city officials at a meeting on Monday that the blast occurred at around 6 p.m. when landfill director Sargis Khachatryan entered the restroom to investigate an unusual odor. Switching on the light triggered the ignition, resulting in an explosion. Khachatryan, 36, and landfill worker Edik Misakyan, 54, sustained serious injuries.

According to Davit Karapetyan, head of the Yerevan Health Department, both men suffered burns covering approximately 15 percent of their skin, concentrated on their hands and faces. Their conditions are described as stable but serious. Physicians emphasized that their respiratory systems were not affected.

Arsen Karoyan, chief of the Communal Services Department, said the blast was caused by the accumulation of biogas in the sewer line connected to the restroom. The trapped fumes ignited upon contact with the electrical spark.

Deputy Mayor Tigran Avinyan underscored the severity of the incident, noting that while no fatalities occurred, the situation could have been far worse. He called for comprehensive monitoring across all landfill sectors to identify similar hazards and stressed strict compliance with safety rules.