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BREAKING NEWS: 2 Quakes Hit Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda - Number of Dead - Rising
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by Swan | February 3, 2008 at 08:27 am
1382 views | 11 Recommendations | 16 comments
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BREAKING NEWS: 2 Quakes Hit Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda - Number of Dead - Rising
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A magnitude-5.0 earthquake struck southwestern Rwanda on Sunday, killing at least 21 people including some who were in church at the time, a government official said.
Even the capital of Rwanda, Kigali didn't escape the 'quake - 125 miles away. Rwanda covers approximately 26,340 square kilometres, with a population of eight million people.
According to the USGS Earthquake Centre, though the first quake was near Rwanda, its epicentre was 20 km north of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo and measured 6.0.
The first 'quake was not actually in Rwanda (as reported everywhere) where the later aftershock was measured at 5.0.
"Twelve people are confirmed dead but they are still rescuing more,'' said police spokesman Willy Marcel Higiro. It was not clear how many people were injured in the quake, which struck Rusizi District on Sunday morning.
The two 'quakes shook Africa's Great Lakes region - along the western Great Rift Valley fault. People are walking around traumatized, one person said: "We have never seen a quake like that here before. Part of my house is on the verge of falling into the lake (Kivu)"
Sadly earthquakes are not uncommon in the Great Rift Valley. There is a seismically active fault line that encompasses western Uganda; eastern Democratic Repulic of Congo, Rwanda and neighboring Tanzania.
The last magnitude 6 earthqake was in 1994, in western Uganda's Rwenzori mountains killed at least 6 people.
Interesting Links:
How Earthquakes Happen
Deadly History of Earthquakes
BBC Science - Earthquakes
Sources:
CBC News
USGS Earthquake Centre
Republic of Rwanda
Associated Press
Reuters - Africa By Arthur Asiimwe
© Reuters 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Image Sources:
Rwanda
Appletree
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (16)
at 08:39 on February 3rd, 2008
MORE NEWS WANTED ON THESE EARTHQUAKES PLEASE!
~ Swan
at 08:58 on February 3rd, 2008
Swan, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 11:16 on February 3rd, 2008
Hello Caoimhin,
Thank you for your flag and comment. :)
~ Swan
at 09:13 on February 3rd, 2008
From the M&G:
[q
url="http://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnL03663384.html"]Earthquakes
struck Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, killing at
least 38 people and seriously injuring up to 550 more, officials said.
The two quakes struck close together in Africa's Great Lakes region along the western Great Rift Valley fault.
The first quake, with a magnitude of 6.0 and its epicentre in
Democratic Republic of Congo, happened at 10:30 a.m. (0730 GMT),
followed by another 5.0 quake in densely populated southern Rwanda at
1:56 p.m. (1056 GMT).
"The death toll (in Rwanda) has risen to 33 people and up to 400 are
seriously injured," Deputy Rwandan Police Chief Mary Gahonzire told
Reuters. She said rescue efforts were underway.[/q]
at 11:18 on February 3rd, 2008
Hello Jordan,
Thank you for the additional news, I can't seem to find any more updates or pictures anywhere :/ I suppose that could be good news in itself. Hopefully, no more bodies have been found.
~ Swan
at 09:43 on February 3rd, 2008
Swan, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 11:19 on February 3rd, 2008
Hello Cynthia!
Thank you also for your comment. They're always appreciated.
~ Swan
at 10:44 on February 3rd, 2008
Swan, thanks for keeping us informed on this very tragic event. Good stuff.
at 11:20 on February 3rd, 2008
Hello Rahul,
I do appreciate the comment and flag, thank you.
~ Swan
at 13:23 on February 3rd, 2008
USGS identifys 4 quakes 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, 6.0
Source: earthquake.usgs.gov
at 16:15 on February 3rd, 2008
Hello Politisite,
Thank you for the update - it's appreciated. I hope to G-d that there aren't more people killed or injured than has already been reported. It sounds as if the other 'quakes might have been fairly strong aftershocks.
~ Swan
at 13:25 on February 3rd, 2008
Swan, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 16:16 on February 3rd, 2008
Hello John,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting - and for the flag. :)
~ Swan
at 14:17 on February 3rd, 2008
This from the Financial Times: "Earthquakes struck Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, killing at least 38 people and seriously injuring up to 550 more, officials said.
The two quakes struck close together in Africa's Great Lakes region along the western Great Rift Valley fault."
at 16:19 on February 3rd, 2008
Hello Jordan,
Thank you - hopefully we'll be able to hear more news coming out Dem. Rep. Congo and/or Rwanda soon, from people living in the area.
~ Swan