Prime Minister Pays Tribute to Victims of December 7 Earthquake

The Prime Minister, the President of Armenia, and the Speaker of the National Assembly have paid tribute in Spitak to the victims of the earthquake that struck on December 7, 1988.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is also expected to visit Gyumri, where he will participate in a service at the Seven Wounds Church. It is noteworthy that today marks the Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Spitak earthquake that occurred 37 years ago.

At 11:41 AM on this day, the earthquake claimed the lives of 25,000 people and left over half a million people homeless. In just a matter of seconds, the cities of Spitak, Leninakan, Kirovakan, and Stepanavan, as well as more than a hundred villages and communities across the Spitak, Akhuryan, Gugark, Aragats, Kalinino, and Stepanavan regions were completely or partially destroyed. The earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 10 at its epicenter.

The area of destruction, where the quake's intensity reached 8 or higher, spanned over 3,000 square kilometers. A total of 21 towns and regions, and 342 villages were affected. Approximately 514,000 people were left homeless, and nearly 20,000 people suffered varying degrees of injury, with 12,500 requiring hospitalization. The death toll was reported at 25,000, with a significant number of casualties occurring in Gyumri (around 15,000 to 17,000) and Spitak (4,000).

Over 113 countries and 7 international organizations provided comprehensive assistance to Armenia. Hundreds of rescue workers and doctors arrived in the Republic. All Soviet republics began sending medicines, medical equipment, construction machinery, tents, food supplies, and later, engaged in construction activities from the very first hours following the earthquake.