Car Explosions and Fires on the Rise in Armenia
The use of natural gas to power passenger cars in Armenia has its drawbacks, despite being cheaper than gasoline.
A recent incident on September 2 in Yerevan resulted in a car explosion, injuring three people and damaging eleven cars and a public bus.
Armenia has a high rate of using natural gas for vehicles, with over 70% of cars running on it, due to its significant cost savings compared to expensive gasoline imports.
However, the conversion and refueling infrastructure lack government oversight, leading to safety issues and dangerous accidents involving exploding gas tanks.
- Twenty-one car explosions have been recorded this year, a 50% increase from 2024.
- The number of vehicle fires has also been increasing since 2021, with an average of 463 vehicles catching fire each year.
Safety standards are not being maintained, resulting in fatal accidents and highlighting the need for improved oversight.
Author's summary: Armenia sees rise in car explosions and fires due to safety issues.