Events dated to 20th anniversary of Spitak earthquake held in ViennaNovember 24, 2008 - 18:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Events dated to the 20th anniversary of Spitak earthquake were held in Vienna under the aegis of Austrian Foreign Minister and Ambassador of Armenia to Austria Ashot Hovakimyan, the RA MFA press office reported.Political and public figures, diplomats and members of the Armenian community of Austria attended the events. Reports were presented and documentaries screened. The devastating earthquake shocked Armenia on December 7, 1988. At 11.41 a.m. local time a magnitude 10 earthquake destroyed the entire city of Spitak. There was great damage to the nearby cities of Leninakan (now known as Gyumri) and Kirovakan (today Vanadzor) and some 350 surrounding villages. The earthquake claimed lives of 25 thousand people; some 100 thousand were wounded; over 500 thousand became homeless. It was rated among the most crushing calamities of the world. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |