December 7th Armenia commemorates the victims of 1988 earthquake that killed 25 thousand and displaced 514 thousand people.

The tremors of 7 magnitude destroyed nearly whole northern part of Armenia. The city of Spitak as well as 58 villages were fully destructed, the city of Leninakan (Gyumri), Stepanavan, Kirovakan (Vanadzor) and over 300 settlements were partially destroyed. Overall the quake shook about 40% of Armenia’s territory. The operations of Armenian NPP were terminated.

All former USSR republics participated in the restoration of the destroyed regions. UK, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Belgium and Switzerland rendered assistance, sending their experts, rescue equipment, food and medicament.

Today on earthquake’s 21st anniversary RA President Serzh Sargsyan will visit disaster area. Even 21 years after the tragedy many families still live in one-off houses. However, Armenian government pledged to solve the problem by 2013.