At least 11 people have been killed after an natural disaster measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale hit Tanzania.
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The Magnitude 5.9 quake struck the east African country’s northwestern corner in the early morning hours Saturday, at a depth of 40 km, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Photographs shared on social media platforms show buildings damaged in Bukoba city, which reportedly suffered the most damage. The tremors rippled as far as western Kenya and parts of Uganda, both of which share the waters of Lake Victoria. Red Cross volunteers and staff are working on the ground as well as in the city’s main hospital, which is now stretched to almost full capacity and has limited stock of medicine.
As rescuers scrambled to find survivors from Saturday’s (Sept 10) quake, Tanzanian prime minister Kassim Majaliwa headed to the worst-hit city, Bukoba, to attend a ceremony at its stadium.
“It is too early to give the exact number of injured people, and the number of damaged property, including houses”, said Kijuu, adding that rescue teams had been deployed to affected areas.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli’s office issued a statement saying the president was surprised by the depth of the destruction.
Earthquakes are fairly common in the Great Lakes region, but they are generally of low intensity. Dar es Salaam, the economic capital of Tanzania, has not reported any damage.
“It’s safe in Dar but we are still anxious about the safety of our family”, the AFP correspondent added.
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Condolences are also expressed to the people of Tanzania by this correspondent with best wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured in the quake.
