A worker fell and died at the scene on July 20, 2026 at the Deafense Housing complex construction site in Yerevan.

This was not the first such incident in the area. Last September, another worker—a 47-year-old man—had sustained severe bodily injuries in the Deafense Housing district.

It’s the largest multi-functional residential development project in the history of Armenia.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated regarding both incidents. Armenia’s Investigative Committee  IC) reported that forensic examinations have been ordered, although the results have not yet been received, and the preliminary investigation is ongoing.

Ongoing construction violations

In May, Armenia's Health and Labor Inspectorate conducted inspections at Deafense Housing Invest CJSC and recorded violations. The inspection body remains silent regarding the specific nature of these violations. The new incident occurred weeks after this silence, and the company also refuses to respond to Hetq written inquiries.

According to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 131 incidents resulting from safety violations were recorded at construction sites in 2023, 202 in 2024, and 277 in 2025.

In other words, the number of accidents more than doubled between 2023 and 2025. In the first half of 2026, 142 incidents have already been recorded.

During the same period, eighty people died because of accidents at construction sites in the country. Criminal proceedings are frequently initiated regarding these incidents, yet only a small fraction of them reach the courts.

Responding to Hetq’s written inquiry, the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) stated that during 2023, 246 criminal proceedings were initiated under Article 355 of Armenia’s Criminal Code; 140 proceedings were terminated, and ten proceedings involving ten individuals were sent to court with approved indictments.

The discrepancy between the data provided by the PGO and the Police is because the statistics maintained by the PGO include incidents resulting from violations of occupational health and safety rules or requirements during construction, mining, or other operations. In contrast, the information provided by the Police lists incidents recorded during construction work separately. In 2024, 26 criminal cases were sent to court with confirmed indictments; in 2025, 42 cases; and in the first half of 2026, 9 cases.

Thus, the number of accidents caused by violations of safety regulations at construction sites is steadily rising. Criminal proceedings are initiated following these accidents, yet the preliminary investigations take an excessively long time. Ultimately, only a small fraction of these cases reaches the court.

While this article was being prepared, another name was added to the list of fatalities. On August 24, a 44-year-old man fell to his death from the seventh floor of a building under construction on Old Yerevan Street.

Infographics by Aren Nazaryan

Top photo Deafense Housing Facebook page