Solemn commemorations marking the December 7, 1988 Spitak earthquake, that took the lives of an estimated 25,000, took place in Artsakh. An official cortege consisting of Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan, National Assembly President Ashot Ghoulyan, Prime Minister Arayik Haroutyunyan, members of the parliament, and high ranking church and military officials visited the memorial complex in Stepanakert to pay their respects.