Soviet Hero: A Daring Rescue from the Depths of Lake Yerevan
2025-01-14
In 1976, Shavarsh Karapetyan, a Soviet swimming champion, witnessed a trolleybus plunge into Lake Yerevan. Ignoring the perilous icy water and pollution, he launched a daring rescue, repeatedly diving into the submerged vehicle to save dozens of passengers. This heroic act, suppressed by Soviet authorities, remained largely unknown until years later. Karapetyan's story is a testament to extraordinary courage and the power of human compassion.