Post by ocelot on Dec 5, 2005 11:33:56 GMT -5
Deaths reported after 6.8 magnitude quake in East Africa
Last Updated Mon, 05 Dec 2005 11:23:51 EST
CBC News
Several people are reported dead in Congo after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 rattled the region around Lake Tanganyika in East Africa on Monday.
The quake toppled homes and trapped several children in the rubble, a UN aid worker said.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake was about 55 kilometres southeast of the town of Kalemie in Congo, formerly known as Zaire, near that country's border with Tanzania.
The actual quake was almost 10 kilometres underground and happened at 12:19 GMT, 2:19 p.m. local time.
A UN aid worker speaking by phone to the Associated Press from Kalemie said injured people have been taken to hospital.
"Dozens of houses have collapsed, several children were buried by the roofs of their houses," said Jean-Donne Owali.
Lasted 30 seconds
The quake lasted for about 30 seconds, Henri Burgard, a UN spokesperson in the region, told the Associated Press.
"The buildings shook quite strongly," he said.
The quake was also felt in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, where hundreds of people were fled office buildings.
People in Rwanda's capital of Kigali also felt the earthquake as did people in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. It was also felt in the coastal city of Mombasa and on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Last Updated Mon, 05 Dec 2005 11:23:51 EST
CBC News
Several people are reported dead in Congo after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 rattled the region around Lake Tanganyika in East Africa on Monday.
The quake toppled homes and trapped several children in the rubble, a UN aid worker said.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake was about 55 kilometres southeast of the town of Kalemie in Congo, formerly known as Zaire, near that country's border with Tanzania.
The actual quake was almost 10 kilometres underground and happened at 12:19 GMT, 2:19 p.m. local time.
A UN aid worker speaking by phone to the Associated Press from Kalemie said injured people have been taken to hospital.
"Dozens of houses have collapsed, several children were buried by the roofs of their houses," said Jean-Donne Owali.
Lasted 30 seconds
The quake lasted for about 30 seconds, Henri Burgard, a UN spokesperson in the region, told the Associated Press.
"The buildings shook quite strongly," he said.
The quake was also felt in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, where hundreds of people were fled office buildings.
People in Rwanda's capital of Kigali also felt the earthquake as did people in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. It was also felt in the coastal city of Mombasa and on the shores of Lake Victoria.