The Hero from Under the Water: The Incredible Feat of Shavarsh Karapetyan

September 16, 1976, became a day etched in the history of Yerevan Lake—a day when a tragedy served as the stage for an act of unprecedented heroism.

The Moment of Catastrophe

On September 16, 1976, one of Yerevan's well-known trolleybuses, full of passengers, went off its route and fell into Yerevan Lake. It submerged to a depth of about 10 meters in a matter of seconds. Out of fear and confusion, people started screaming and panicking, but everything happened so quickly that many only managed to make a few hopeless movements. Citizens nearby stood helplessly on the shore, watching the events with concern. It was a sight that could break anyone's spirit.

The Emergence of a Hero

That day, near Yerevan Lake, Shavarsh Karapetyan, a multi-time world champion and record holder in fin swimming, was training. With his older brother and coach, he saw the tragic event. Without a second's thought, he dived into the cold and muddy water.

Visibility underwater was zero, and navigating the dark, mud-filled interior of the trolleybus was incredibly difficult. Moreover, the trolleybus's windows were shattered, and he had to work amidst cutting and dangerous debris. Without oxygen, he began pulling people out one after another. To bring out each person, he dived underwater and came back up to the shore. His lungs were filled with muddy water, and his body was covered in numerous wounds.

Shavarsh Karapetyan saved 20 lives, but each time he returned to the shore was an incredible ordeal. Each time, he had to cut his way through broken glass. The last time, it's true, he brought out a cushion, believing it to be a person, but that final act gave him the opportunity to save one more person's life.

Sacrifice and Consequences

Shavarsh Karapetyan's heroic act came at a great cost to his health. His body went into shock, and he developed pneumonia as a result of a high fever. The glass wounds were severe, leading to pulmonary fibrosis. This tragedy ended his sports career, but his name remained in history forever.

The Symbol of Heroism

Shavarsh Karapetyan's story is more than just a tale of rescue. It reminds us that heroes don't wear capes; they are ready to sacrifice their lives for others. His act became a symbol of self-sacrifice, determination, and the triumph of the human spirit. His name will forever remain in our hearts as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there can be people who will fight for the lives of others