SOLDIERS-RESCUERS

On December 7, 2015, in Spitak a monument was unveiled dedicated to the soldiers who participated in the works to eliminate the consequences of the 1988 earthquake. The monument was created in Moscow on the initiative of the Russian Union of Military History, architect: V.Frolov, sculptor: A.Mironova.

27 years ago on December 7, 1988 at 11:45 in Spitak there was a powerful earthquake. Still bumps were not over, but soldiers of the Soviet Army rushed to the aid. The first groups arrived led by A.Vostrikalov and G.Shamiralov, as well as paratroopers of Lieutenant Colonel V.Medvedev. Although the terrible disaster claimed the lives of 332 soldiers and officers, many lost their loved ones, but the soldiers day and night were rescuing people.

In what mental situation could be M.Golubev when near corpses saw his wife and son, and Major S.Surtayev when he received the news that his wife and children were killed. Colonel, mutilating his spine, rescued the baby falling from the third floor. Captain Surotin’s squad rescued 20, and the group of Lieutenant R.Ishmatov and Sergeant O.Torosyan released 30 children from the ruins of the school.

And how was for Major S.Shaparniy? His mother and wife died, the son remained under the rubble, but the Major of medical service in a short time organized a field hospital.

Of course, it is impossible to give the names of all 23 thousand soldiers who participated in the rescue work. The military reserve of Yerevan and Tbilisi only in Leninakan saved the lives of 139 people. Georgian soldiers who fought in Afghanistan, among the first arrived in the disaster area, from the rubble of a textile factory pulled out 37, and reservists from Donetsk, from the rubble in the Herzen street – 15 victims.

Leninakan military hospital was working day and night. In 9 hours doctors did 38 operations and provided medical care to 2,000 people.

In the rescue work the military used all their equipment up to the tanks. In different areas of the disaster zone in the rescue operations officers and soldiers of about 50 nationalities were involved.

AGHVAN CHATINYAN
Member of rescue
Mountain rescuer, Professor