VLADIMIR PUTIN: SPITAK EARTHQUAKE WAS A DREADFUL TRAGEDY FOR ALL NATIONS OF THE SOVIET UNION

Arminfo
2008-12-05 19:50:00

ArmInfo. The earthquake in Spitak in 1988 was a dreadful tragedy for
all the nations of the Soviet Union, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin said.

"On December 7, Armenia will mark a mournful date – the 20th
anniversary of the destructive earthquake in 1988. This dreadful
disaster became a tragedy for all the nations of the USSR", –
Vladimir Putin said at a joint briefing with Armenian Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan in Moscow. The Russian governmental press- service
quotes Putin as saying: "We bewail the death of dozens of thousands
of victims, and remember the heroic deeds and dedicated service of
volunteers from all the regions of the Soviet Union".

On 7 December 1988, the earthquake in Armenia almost ruined two towns
in the north of Armenia – Spitak and Leninakan (currently Gyumri) and
over 100 villages. Several towns were destroyed partly. According to
official data, that day 25 thsd people died, 140 thsd became disabled,
and 0.5 mln people lost homes.