35 years have passed since the devastating earthquake that hit the northwestern regions of Armenia on December 7, 1988.

35 years ago today, at 11:41 am local time, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake shook northwestern Armenia followed by a 5.8-magnitude aftershock four minutes later. In the epicenter – the village of Nalband – the tremors were reported to measure 10 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake leveled the cities of Spitak and Gyumri, as well as about 60 villages, leaving at least 25,000 people dead, 140,000 disabled and 500,000 homeless.

All financial and labor capabilities of the Soviet Union were mobilized for reconstruction, as 45 thousand builders from all the member states arrived to help rebuild the destroyed areas. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the restoration program was suspended.