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Quake in Africa kills at least 30 and injures 350

At least 30 people died and 350 were seriously injured after earthquakes struck Rwanda and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, officials said.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 19:16 February 3, 2008
  • Gulf News

Kigali: At least 30 people died and 350 were seriously injured after earthquakes struck Rwanda and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, officials said.

In Africa's Great Lakes region along with the western Great Rift Valley fault, two earthquakes struck hours apart.

The first quake occurred at 10:30 a.m. at a magnitude of 6.0 in its epicenter Democratic Republic of Congo, and was followed by a second quake occurring at 1:56 p.m. at a magnitude of 5.0 in southern Rwanda, which is densely populated.

"The death toll has now increased to 25 from the earthquake. Two hundred have serious injuries,'' the Deputy Rwandan Police Chief informed Reuters. “Rescue efforts are underway but the number of dead could rise, as so many people are trapped."

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