par Matha Biongo / MONUC
The District Headquarters of Tanganyika Kalemie was on 5 December, hit by a strong earthquake. The earthquake which according to Seismologists measured 6.8 on the Richter scale. The quake took place on the eastern side of Lake Tanganyika and hit Kalemie town center at about 2.20-2.25 p.m. local time.
The quake resulted in the death of a two-year-old girl. A SNEL worker sustained a serious fracture on the knee while two 6 year old boys suffered from second degree burn as a result of hot water and fire in two different residences in Kalemie town.
About sixteen houses have been damaged with fissures on with walls and roof tops falling off., while nine houses have been destroyed to foundation as well as a local district administration office and a church building.
Relevant local authorities have issued statement calling for calm among the local population. Although the earthquake did not affect MONUC-Kalemie HQ area about eight km from Kalemie town center or MONUC/UN personnel and property there were reports of minor damages cracks on the wall of a staff member's residence. MONUC and other UN Agencies including OCHA have been working tirelessly to monitor the evolution of the disaster.
MONUC (MILOBs) received unconfirmed reports on the damages of two houses in Nyunzu (200 km from Kalemie) as a result of the earthquake. Catholic religious leaders reported a minor damage to the church in Moba (about 300 km from Kalemie while tremors earth tremors were also reported in KABALO, KONGOLO and Kamina. It is worth noting that two minor tremors were felt on the December 6, 2005 about 1.15 am and at 7.53am.
