  Ukraine commemorated victims of Spitak earthquakeDecember 7, 2009 - 17:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On December 7, 11:00 a. m., all Armenian churches and chapels of Ukraine held requiem services to commemorate the victims of 1988 Spitak earthquake. The liturgy in the Armenian chapel of Kiev was conducted by clergyman Hovhannes Shakhnazaryan who read prayers by the Khachkar (cross-stone) situated near Surb Gevorg church, Analitika.at.ua reports. 2009 marks the 21st anniversary of Spitak earthquake. On December 7, 1988, 11 a.m. local time, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook north-western Armenia and was followed four minutes later by a magnitude 5.8 aftershock. The great disaster levelled the towns of Gyumri and Spitak to the ground, leaving 100 thousand people dead and over 500 homeless. A lot of others became crippled. Spitak earthquake is in the list of the world's biggest catastrophes.   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 |  Related sections Latest news Erdogan wants “realistic road map” for relations with Armenia  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a “new realistic road map” for relations with Armenia.Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements.Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of ArmeniaHenrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. |
