Charles Aznavour reminded the world of1988 earthquake

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. French-Armenian legendary singer reminded the world of 1988 devastative earthquake. As “Armenpress” reports, the singer shared in his Facebook page the song “Pour toi Arménie”(“For you, Armenia”).

“December 7, 1988 terrible earthquake caused destructions in Armenia which leads to the death of dozens of thousands of people and hundreds of thousands were left without shelter,” Aznavour mentioned.

Charle Aznavour’s established “Aznavour pour l’Arménie” charity fund always provided assistance to victims of the earthquake and continues to expand activities. 1993 Foundation’s office was opened in Yerevan.

Spitak earthquake started on December 7, 1988 at 7.41.22.7 GMT (11.41.22.7 local time). The epicenter by the records of seismographs has the following coordinates: latitude 40.92°N, longitude 44.23°E. The depth of the hypocenter, measured by various methods and means, varies from 2.5km to 10-15km. It is natural as the earthquake source as a spatial, geological body came out to the earth’s surface at the Dzorashen-Halavar area and in subsurface it extended at least about 15-20km depths. The magnitude of the earthquake was 7.0. The intensity at the epicenter was 10 value on MSK-64 intensity scale. The earthquake hit 40 % of the territory of Armenia, densely populated region with 1 ml people. The affected area, where the intensity of the earthquake was>8, involved 30002 km area. 21 towns and 342 villages were destructed, 514.000 people were left without shelter, 20.000 people were injured and 12500 people were hospitalized. Number of victims was about 25.000. Particularly in Gyumri (15.000-17.000) and in Spitak (4000) number of victims was more than anywhere else.

17% fund of dwellings was destroyed, the work of 170 industrial companies was halted, the great losses were caused to villages and agro industrial complexes as well as to the architectural, historical and cultural monuments, 917 public buildings were destroyed. Armenian economic damage amounted to 13 billion rubles.