Twenty-five years after the devastating earthquake in Spitak
11:35 07.12.2013
December 7 marks the 25th anniversary of the destructive earthquake in
Spitak. The earthquake hit 40 % of the territory of Armenia, densely
populated region with 1 million people. The cities of Spitak,
Leninakan, Kirovakan and Stepanavan, as well as hundreds of villages
were totally or partially destroyed. Twenty-five thousand people were
killed, 500 thousand were left without shelter. 17% of the buildings
were destroyed, the work of 170 industrial companies was halted.
Immediately after the earthquake Armenians all over the world united
and offered comprehensive support to the Motherland. `SOS Armenie,’
`Aznavour for Armenia’ and tens of other organizations were created.
Many Diaspora Armenians rushed to Armenia, bringing food, clothes and
medicine.
Many of them – doctors, psychologists, constructors, architects –
stayed in Armenia and personally participated in the rescue works.
A number of countries of the world continued to support Armenia years
after the earthquake. Italians built a whole dwelling district in
Spitak, Norwegians built a hospital, which was named after great
humanist F. Nansen.
A school built by an Englishmen was opened in Gyumri. Prime Minister
of Great Britain Margaret Thatcher participated in the opening
ceremony.