Lebanon to commemorate Spitak earthquake victims

December 6, 2010 - 20:18 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Lebanon’s Armenian community has always commemorated the victims of Spitak earthquake on December 7, Shahan Kandaharian, editor-in-chief of Beirut-based Aztag daily newspaper stated.

“All Armenian newspapers in Lebanon will address the issue on December 7, a liturgy in memory of earthquake victims will be served in Armenian churches on Sunday,” he told PanARMENIAN.Net

As Aztag editor-in-chief noted, Lebanon’s Armenian community has always actively participated in Spitak reconstruction works, as well as Hayastan All Armenian Fund projects aimed at restoration of the city. “We’re ready to assist in any new program, should one be initiated,” he stressed.

On December 7, 1988, at 11:41 a.m. local time a magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook northwestern Armenia and was followed four minutes later by a magnitude 5.8 aftershock.

The earthquakeleveled the cities of Spitak and Gyumri and left 25 000 people dead, 100000 wounded and 500000 homeless.