32nd Anniversary of the Devastating Spitak Earthquake

On December 7, 1988, at 11:41 AM, a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 10 struck northern Armenia. In just a few seconds, the cities of Spitak, Leninakan, Kirovakan, and Stepanavan, as well as over a hundred villages and settlements in the Spitak, Akhuryan, Gugark, Aragats, Kalinino, and Stepanavan regions, were completely or partially destroyed.

The earthquake, which occurred 32 years ago, affected 21 cities and regions and left 514,000 people homeless. The natural disaster claimed the lives of more than 25,000 individuals and resulted in nearly 20,000 injuries. The casualties were particularly high in Gyumri, where approximately 15,000-17,000 people lost their lives, and in Spitak, where about 4,000 perished.

The Spitak earthquake destroyed 17% of Armenia's entire housing stock and caused significant damage to factories and historical monuments. Following the earthquake, a special commission from Russia arrived in Armenia, led by Nikolai Ryzhkov, the chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers. More than 113 countries and 7 international organizations extended their assistance to Armenia during those days.