On December 7, 1988 40% of the territory of Armenia was shaken by an awful earthquake, which took lives of more than 25 thousand people.
The epicenters of the earthquake were Spitak – the strength of earthquake reached 10 points (of 12-point scale), Gyumri (Leninakan) 9 points, Vanadzor (Kirovakan) 8 points.
The total damage to the economy of Armenia by the earthquake was estimated about 10 billion Soviet rubles.
Fortunately, the world was not indifferent what was going on in Armenia and they responded quite quickly. The humanitarian aid that came from all over the world saved lives of a lot of people.