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 | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |