In the result of investigatory actions of great volume conducted in the framework of the criminal case investigated in the Investigative Division of Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts of Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee the cause of the explosion that occurred at «Burger King» food center operating in Yerevan was found out. Charge was pressed against the head of refrigeration and compressor workshop of «Kotayk Beer Factory» for providing services that do not meet the security requirements.

The explosion at «Burger King» food center operating at 5 Northern Avenue occurred on the evening of April 2, 2018. As a result, 9 citizens with bodily injuries were taken to medical centers.

A criminal case was initiated in the Investigative Division of Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts of Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee according to the Point 2 of the Part 2 of the Article 279 of RA Criminal Code, an investigatory group was formed, an investigatory plan was worked out and investigatory actions of great volume were conducted to find out the cause of the explosion, forensic medical, explosion technical, construction technical and merchandising examinations were commissioned.
 

As a result, sufficient evidence were obtained on the allegation that the explosion source was on the floor under the stand of the hall of the first floor of “Burger King” fast food center which was the crime scene. According to the conclusion of forensic merchandising, explosion technical and construction technical complex examination the cause of the explosion was incorrect installation of cylinder tube under high pressure at a difficult place which was taken there with violations. Because of it the temperature of the cylinder increased which contributed to increase carbon dioxide gas phase – pressure increase in the cylinder tube which caused the explosion. According to the experts the explosion was at 0.745 MW capacity which is equivalent to 178 gr..  
  

Through inspection it was found out that the carbon dioxide cylinder tube was of factory production produced in the Russian Federation in 2012 and met the interstate standard requirements, therefore it was fit for targeted use.

«Burger Arm» CJSC operating at «Burger King» food center was provided with beer and other beverage by «Kotayk Beer Factory» LLC and the mentioned cylinder tube had been delivered by the latter. In the result of taken measures the person in charge was identified.

Pursuant to preliminary investigation data, some of the working duties of refrigeration and compressor workshop head of «Kotayk Beer Factory» LLC were to instruct and teach the security organization rules of the work to the installer-mechanic of beer filler devices of the same company. However, he did not teach, did not inform the service terms of gas cylinder tube under high pressure. Without passing exam in security techniques and not having a certificate of defined procedure and form the installer-mechanic carried out installation of carbon dioxide gas cylinder tube at «Burger King» fast food center during which he made a number of violations.

Particularly, he installed the cylinder tube under high pressure in a wrong way – lain, in a poorly ventilated place, he did not fix the cylinder tube. As a result, on April 2, 2018 the temperature of the mentioned cylinder tube increased which contributed to increase of carbon dioxide gas phase causing the explosion.

On the base of the obtained evidence charge was pressed against refrigeration and compressor workshop head of «Kotayk Beer Factory» LLC according to the Point 2 of the Part 2 of the Article 279 of RA Criminal Code. Signature not to leave was chosen as a pretrial measure against him.

Note; Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.