#4597, Exterior views of the newly constructed buildings, The Lord Byron School, Leninakan (now Gyumri), Armenia. At 11.41am on the 7th December 1988, Armenia was devastated by an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale. It is thought a minimum of 30,000 people died. The epicentre was near Spitak (pop. 30,000) which was almost totally destroyed. Not far away was Leninakan (pop. 240,000) where 70% of all buildings were left either collapsed or unsafe. 31 of the 37 schools were destroyed. The British Government paid for, and British companies equipped, a new school to replace one which had taught in English. It was designed by the Dept. for Education and Science's Architects & Buildings Branch. The management contractor was John Mowlem working with consultants, Buro Happold, Building Design Partnership and Gleeds. These photos were taken shortly after it was officially opened by British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.