ARMENIA COMMEMORATES EARTHQUAKE ANNIVERSARY
ITAR-TASS, Russia
Dec 7 2006
YEREVAN, December 7 (Itar-Tass) – Armenia is commemorating the
victims of a disastrous earthquake that hit and destroyed its northern
provinces back in 1988.
Powerful underground tremors wiped out the towns of Spitak, Leninakan,
Stepanavan, Kirovakan and dozens of villages and settlements from
the face of the earth on December 7 eighteen years ago. Hundreds of
people were wounded and crippled, thousands became homeless.
The entire Soviet Union and the whole world rushed to Armenia’s
rescue. Building equipment and construction workers from all Soviet
republics and foreign countries arrived in the republic. The apartment
buildings and neighbourhoods were later named after the names of
regions and cities from where the construction teams came from.
The residents of Spitak will on Thursday gather in the town centre
near a monument to the former Soviet Prime Minister Nikolai Ryzhkov
who supervised the rescue operation and restoration works.
Armenian leaders and public representatives will visit Spitak, Gyumri
(Leninakan), Vanadzor (Kirovakan) as well as other cities and districts
hit by the earthquake.
Churches in Armenia and other countries will hold funeral services
to commemorate the earthquake victims.