  Spitak earthquake victims commemorated in Damascus December 6, 2010 - 16:38 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - On December 5, Saint Sargis Armenian Church in Damascus, Syria, hosted a memorial service for victims of 1988 Spitak earthquake. Armenia’s Ambassador to Syria Arshak Poladyan, diplomats of the Armenian embassy and representatives of the Armenian community were attending. 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 leveled 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 Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals  Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation.Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush.Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year.Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |
