  Spitak earthquake victims commemorated in NKRDecember 7, 2009 - 16:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Spitak earthquake victims were commemorated in NKR. As PanARMENIAN.Net reporter was informed at Aparazh newspaper editorial office, NKR National Assembly speaker Ashot Gulyan, NKR Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan, NKR parliamentarians and government members, NKR Defense Army command, politicians and public figures laid wreathes at the monument to earthquake victims in Stepanakert.21 years have passed since the devastating Spitak earthquake that shocked Armenia 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. The earthquake was rated among the most crushing calamities of the world.   Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18.   Partner news |  Related sections Topic Latest news Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills  Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skillsArmenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi ArabiaPashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”.U.S. doesn’t see Russia as contributing to peace in Caucasus Patel made the remarks when asked about the implications of Russia’s withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh. |
