21ST ANNIVERSARY OF 1988 DISASTROUS EARTHQUAKE MARKED TODAY
ARMENPRESS
Dec 7, 2009
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: The 21st anniversary of Spitak
disastrous earthquake is being marked today almost in all the towns
ruined as a result of the earthquake. In Gyumri the commemoration
ceremony started from the ceremony in the St. Virgin Mary Church
known in people as Seven Wounds.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, accompanied by the representatives
of legislative and executive bodies, Shirak governor Lida Nanyan,
Gyumri mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, Russian ambassador Vyacheslav Kovalenko,
at 11.41, the hour of the disastrous earthquake, put wreaths and
bowed their heads in the memory of the victims of the earthquake.
The Gyumri’s St. Rescuer Church, built in the 17th century just as
the one in Ani, was completely ruined from the 1988 earthquake and
is being reconstructed preserving its architectural appearance. The
construction of the church is expected to be completed in 2012.
Gyumri’s St. Grigor Lusavorich Church has bowed because of its
emergency condition. St. Nshan, St. Hakob and Seven Wounds churches
are operating in the town.
About 20 big and small towns and 358 villages were damaged from the
earthquake, 58 of which were completely ruined. The disaster hugely
harmed dwelling and state buildings, industrial institutions, state
organizations including 377 schools, 245 kinder-gartens, 560 medical
institutions, 324 community and cultural centers. Roads and bridges,
energy sources and water pipelines were hardly damaged. Serious
losses were registered in Spitak, Vanadzor, Gyumri. According to
the official soviet information about 25,000 people were killed,
140,000 became handicapped and 530,000 remained homeless as a result
of the earthquake.
Today Armenian President, within the framework of his working visit
to Shirak, will also visit Akhuryan community of the province and get
acquainted with the process of construction of sugar factory. Serzh
Sargsyan will also visit Ani region of the province, Isahakyan
community to get acquainted with construction of the gas pipelines.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress