16-Year-Old Artsakh Refugee Dies on Railway Tracks in Suspected Suicide

A heartbreaking tragedy occurred on the afternoon of May 25, when a 16-year-old boy from Artsakh died by suicide after stepping in front of a moving train near the village of Jrarat, in Armenia’s Armavir Province.

The incident happened at 2:35 PM along the Etchmiadzin–Masis railway section. According to a statement by “South Caucasus Railway,” the train driver on the Gyumri–Yerevan route noticed someone standing on the tracks about 130 meters ahead. The young man had his back turned toward the train. Despite using the horn and immediately applying the emergency brake, the train could not stop in time.

The boy, identified as M.E., born in 2009, died from the impact. A fire-rescue unit from Armenia's Ministry of Internal Affairs was quickly dispatched to the scene. The incident is under investigation, and more details are expected from authorities after analyzing the train’s speed data.

While the railway company emphasized the risks of crossing train tracks and the importance of safety, this case appears to be much more than a tragic accident. It shows a growing mental health crisis among thousands of young people displaced from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) after the devastating events of 2020 and 2023.

This young boy was one of more than 120,000 Armenians who were forcibly displaced from Artsakh in 2023. These civilians, mostly women, children, and elderly, fled to Armenia after Azerbaijan launched a military operation that led to the occupation of the entire region.

Many of these families left with only the clothes they were wearing. They lost their homes, schools, memories, churches, and the land where their ancestors had lived for centuries. For children and teenagers like M.E., the loss was not just physical—it was emotional, cultural, and deeply personal.

For years, the people of Artsakh endured war, a brutal blockade, and constant threats. The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war shattered peace in the region. In 2023, Azerbaijan’s final offensive marked the end of Armenian presence in Artsakh, forcing an exodus that many international observers described as ethnic cleansing.

Families who had lived for generations in cities like Stepanakert, Shushi, and Hadrut suddenly became refugees. Most were resettled in Armenia, where they face poverty, job insecurity, trauma, and limited access to psychological support. Youth who had once played in the mountains of Artsakh find themselves in unfamiliar towns, struggling to understand what happened to the life they once knew.

For teenagers like M.E., the world they knew disappeared overnight. Many have expressed feelings of hopelessness, identity loss, and emotional isolation. Despite efforts by schools and NGOs to support these displaced families, mental health care remains underfunded and often unavailable.

In the case of M.E., his suicide is a tragic example of the deep wounds left by war and forced displacement—wounds that may not be visible but are devastating just the same. It reminds us that beyond the politics and negotiations, it is the people—especially the children—who suffer the most.

The Armenian government and diaspora organizations must prioritize mental health services, education, and long-term housing for the forcibly displaced families from Artsakh. The pain they carry cannot be erased, but with proper care and compassion, it can be softened.

At the same time, the international community must not forget Artsakh. The silence surrounding the ethnic cleansing of its Armenian population has only added to the trauma. Human rights groups, governments, and global institutions should hold Azerbaijan accountable for its actions and provide humanitarian support to those affected.

The death of this 16-year-old boy is not just a personal tragedy—it is a national tragedy. It is a reflection of what happens when children grow up in the shadow of war, displacement, and silence. His story must be told, not as a statistic, but as a human life lost too soon.

May his memory be a call to protect those who remain, to support the displaced, and to fight for justice and peace in Armenia and Artsakh.

–

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to local mental health services or support organizations for assistance.