At 11:41 AM on December 7, 1988, a devastating earthquake nearly razed the Armenian cities of Spitak, Gyumri (Leninakan), and Vanadzor (Kirovakan).
Strong vibrations were felt even in Yerevan more than 100 kilometers away. The earthquake at the epicenter in the village of Nalband had a surface wave magnitude of 6.8.
According to official information, more than 25 thousand people died, 19 thousand became disabled, 530 000 inhabitants were left homeless. The village of Nalband has gone under the ground.
On these days, Armenia became the epicenter of global unity: doctors and rescuers from all over the world – from France, Switzerland, the UK, Germany, the US – arrived here. More than a hundred states provided the Armenian people with humanitarian aid.
The Spitak earthquake was one of the most devastating earthquakes of the 20th century.
Armenia quake 1988
