30 years ago, on December 7, 1988, the strongest earthquake in the history of Armenia occurred. Powerful tremors in half a minute destroyed almost the entire northern part of the republic, covering the territory with a population of about a million people. At the epicenter of the earthquake was the city of Spitak. The cities of Leninakan, Stepanavan, Kirovakan and more than 300 settlements were destroyed.
The disaster claimed the lives of 25 thousand people. All the republics of the USSR helped to cope with the consequences of the tragedy. Help came from many other countries: Israel, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, Lebanon, Norway, France, Germany, Switzerland provided their rescuers, equipment, food and medicine.
Destruction in Leninakan (present day Gyumri).
At the epicenter of the earthquake, the intensity of tremors reached 9-10 points on a 12-point scale.
Tremors were felt in Yerevan and Tbilisi. The shock wave caused by the earthquake circled the planet twice and was recorded by scientific laboratories in Europe, Asia, America and Australia.
Promotional video:
Residential building destroyed by an earthquake.
In total, almost half of the territory of Armenia was affected by the disaster.
More than half a million people were left homeless.
At the grave of the victim of the earthquake in Spitak.
The provision of assistance to the population was complicated by the fact that medical institutions were destroyed in the affected cities.
Rescuers work after the earthquake.
Ambulances at the Zvartnots airport in Yerevan are preparing to receive the victims of the earthquake.
The collection of humanitarian aid was carried out throughout the USSR.
A child on the ruins of his home, destroyed by an earthquake.
At the grave of the victim of the earthquake in Spitak.
Humanitarian aid to victims of the earthquake.
Victims of the earthquake in Spitak.
Alexander Grashchenkov