World - AP Algeria Earthquake Death Toll at 1,000

[Alistar7]

ALGIERS, Algeria - The most devastating earthquake (news - web sites) to hit Algeria in two decades struck east of the capital Wednesday night, killing at least 600 people and injuring more than 5,000.

The U.S. Geological Survey (news - web sites), which monitors quakes around the world, said the temblor had a preliminary magnitude of 6.7. Algerian officials put it much lower at 5.2. The cause of the discrepancy was not immediately clear.

 

[43st]

I heard this on NPR when I woke up this morning. Indeed bad news.

I also heard that France and Germany are rushing Search and Rescue teams to Algeria to help out. Must be a lot of money involved for them to get involved. I'd be interested to see that money link dug up.

 

[Alistar7]

There is mention of French rescue teams being sent there in the article I linked.

This is bad news, sounds like utter devastation.

 

[Alistar7]

"French TV footage showed helmeted rescue workers digging furiously through the rubble of collapsed apartment buildings and houses. One man said he saw panicked people jumping from a hotel window."

France sent two rescue teams of 60 members each Thursday to help with the disaster in its former colony, and French officials were in contact with Algeria to see what additional help would be needed. French President Jacques Chirac sent his condolences Thursday to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.


Germany also sent rescue experts, search dogs and special recovery equipment. Hundreds of Algerian Red Crescent staff and volunteers administered first aid to the injured and transported them to hospitals.


The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was sending a team. Authorities said they feared the earthquake had damaged health facilities, as well as the water and sanitation infrastructure.


Looks like a pretty good collection, nice to see the international community respond quickly to a crisis.

another former French colony, plenty of them in the news lately.

 

[prontospyder]

 

[Alistar7]

updated

"The official APS news agency said the toll was at least 1,092 dead, nearly 7,000 injured and thousands more left homeless."

The U.S. Geological Survey (news - web sites), which monitors quakes around the world, said the temblor had a preliminary magnitude of 6.7, but Algerian officials put it at 5.2.


Lucy Jones, a scientist at the U.S. survey office in Pasadena, Calif., explained that older seismic instruments, like those likely in use in Algeria, cannot accurately measure large-scale ground motions.


Jones also said the quake likely occurred on a blind-thrust fault along the boundary between the African and Eurasian plates. Blind-thrust faults produce earthquakes (news - web sites) when one block pushes upward over another, as if moving up a ramp.


Numerous towns throughout the Boumerdes region east of Algiers were devastated, and residents swarmed to hospitals seeking treatment for injuries or news of loved ones. Dozens of bodies were laid out, their families weeping over them.