Today marked the 32nd anniversary of the Spitak earthquake.
32 years ago, on 7 December 1988, at 11:41 local time, the devastating Spitak earthquake shook Armenia. It affected the northern and northeastern regions of the republic, approximately 40% of its territory.
Within seconds, the cities of Spitak, Leninakan, Kirovakan and Stepanavan were wholly or partially reduced to ruins, as were more than a hundred villages and settlements in the districts of Spitak, Akhuryan, Gugark, Aragats, Kalinino and Stepanavan.
More than 25,000 people perished, and 500,000 were left homeless. Seventeen percent of residential buildings went out of service, roughly 8 million square metres of living space. Some 170 industrial enterprises ceased operations, and about 1,200 livestock facilities were destroyed. The damage inflicted on Armenia’s economy amounted to 13 billion rubles.
Countries from around the world rushed to help. Hundreds of rescuers and doctors came to Armenia. All the republics of the Soviet Union, from the first hours of the earthquake, began shipping to Armenia medicines, medical equipment, construction equipment, tents and foodstuffs, and then carried out construction work. In 1989, more than 40,000 specialists and servicemen from various regions of the Soviet Union were working in the disaster zone.
More than 113 countries and 7 international organisations provided comprehensive assistance to Armenia.
Various states continued their aid to Armenia in the following years as well. The Italians built an entire residential neighbourhood in Spitak, the Norwegians a modern hospital. The Austrians built a neighbourhood. In Gyumri, a school built by the British was put into operation.
