Landslide caused by earthquake
The major landslide that hit Vanadzor-Bagratashen highway in Tavush marz on Sunday evening was caused by an earthquake, the NSSP Agency under the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported.
A 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Armenian-Georgian border, near the town of Ninotsminda, at 1:58p.m. September 28. The force of epicenter was 5-6. According to the NSSP, the tremous were felt in the Armenian cities of Gyumri, Vanadzor, Stepanavan, Alaverdi and Ashotsk. The earthquake had its negative impact on mountainous areas in Armenia, triggering a landslip. About 3,000 cubic meters of land slid onto the road as a result. The recent heavy rainfalls have also contributed to the landslide.
Search and rescue work cannot be carried out in full due to the threat of another landslide. The collapsed section is about 300 meters in length, with an additional 130 meters being considered dangerous. The average height of the land that slid onto the road is 10-15 meters.
