351 dead after Burma cyclone

351 people have been reported dead after a cyclone hit Burma, which is also known as Myanmar. As a result it has been declared by the Burmese government that five states are currently disaster areas.

A diplomat in the area spoke to the Reuters news agency, giving them a description of the scene. He said that the area around him looked like a 'war zone' as a result of the cyclone.

An official from the United Nations also commented on the situation. "It’s a bad situation. Almost all the houses are smashed. People are in a terrible situation,” he said.

Another UN representative also spoke on the incident. He reported that "The Irrawaddy delta was hit extremely hard not only because of the wind and rain but because of the storm surge."

The Daily Telegraph , a UK newspaper, reported that the food price in Burma could be affected by this incident.


Bis zu 10.000 Tote durch Zyklon Nargis in Myanmar

Rangun (Myanmar), 05.05.2008 – Der erste tropische Wirbelsturm der diesjährigen Wirbelsturmsaison im nördlichen Indischen Ozean, Zyklon Nargis, hat in Myanmar eine Spur der Verwüstung hinterlassen. Der Sturm, dessen Stärke kurz vor dem Landfall der Kategorie 4 auf der Saffir-Simpson-Hurrikan-Skala entsprach, fegte mit einer Geschwindigkeit von mindestens 190 Kilometern pro Stunde über das Land, deckte dabei Dächer ab und riss Versorgungsleitungen herunter. Der Flugverkehr auf dem internationalen Flughafen wurde unterbrochen. Im Laufe des Tages stiegen die Opferzahlen schnell an. Außenminister U Nyan Win gab die Zahl der Toten mit vermutlich über 10.000 Menschen an.

Die Regierung Myanmars hat für die fünf Divisionen Irrawaddy, Karen, Mon, Bago und Rangun den Notstand ausgerufen. Die mehr als fünf Millionen Einwohner zählende frühere Hauptstadt lag unmittelbar in der Zugbahn des Zyklons. Der Sturm traf das Land eine Woche vor der angesetzten Volksabstimmung über den Verfassungsentwurf der Militärjunta, der für 2010 freie Wahlen vorsieht. Die Opposition hatte die Wähler aufgefordert, den Verfassungsentwurf abzulehnen.

Besonders betroffen sind tiefliegende Gebiete im Delta des Irrawaddy, wo zu den direkten Auswirkungen durch Wind und Regen noch eine Sturmflut wütete. In der Ortschaft Labutta sind nach Angaben des staatlichen Fernsehsenders 75 Prozent der Gebäude zerstört. Laut Agenturmeldungen sind im Irrawaddy-Delta mindestens 90.000 Menschen obdachlos geworden; 20.000 Häuser sollen hier zerstört worden sein. Die Menschen flohen in Notunterkünfte. Direkt oder indirekt betroffen sind laut dem Hilfswerks Word Vision bis zu zwei Millionen Menschen.

Augenzeugen berichteten, dass auch Rangun erhebliche Schäden davon getragen hat. Die Shwedagon-Pagode soll schwer beschädigt und viele umliegende Gebäude völlig zerstört worden sein. Auch die Sule-Pagode sei verwüstet. Eine UN-Mitarbeiterin sagte in Rangun zur Associated Press, die Straßen seien blockiert, es gebe keinen Strom und kein Trinkwasser. Ein Diplomat verglich die Stadt mit einem Kriegsschauplatz. Im Hafen der Stadt sind nach Angaben staatlicher Medien vier Schiffe gesunken.

Inwieweit internationale Nothilfe vor Ort gelangt, ist unklar, da die Militärs auch nach der Tsunami-Katastrophe im Jahr 2004 keine ausländischen Hilfsorganisationen ins Land ließen. Nach Angaben des UNO-Generalsekretärs Ban Ki-moon steht die UNO mit Hilfsangeboten für die notleidenden Menschen in Myanmar bereit. Das Katastrophenabschätzungs- und Koordinierungsteams der Vereinten Nationen (UNDAC) der UNO ist vorbereitet um der Regierung bei der Bewältigung der humanitären Probleme zu helfen. Zurzeit liegt von der Regierung Myanmars keine offizielle Bitte um Hilfe vor. Von Seiten der UNO laufen jedoch bereits Koordinierungsversuche in der thailändischen Hauptstadt Bangkok an. Terje Skavdal, der von Seiten der UNO für die Koordinierung der Hilfe in Südostasien zuständig ist, hat dafür eine Erklärung: „Normalerweise ist es die Position der Regierung, nicht um Hilfe zu bitten, aber wenn Hilfe angeboten wird, dann nehmen sie die auch an.“

Von der Regierung des Landes erwarten die Menschen wenig Unterstützung. Vereinzelt wurde durch die Bürger Kritik an den schleppenden Hilfsmaßnahmen des Militärs geäußert. „Wo sind all die uniformierten Leute, die stets bereit sind, Zivilisten zu prügeln?“ fragte einer.
Von Zeitungen, die außerhalb Myanmars von Exilbirmanen herausgegeben werden, werden Bürger des Landes mit Stellungnahmen zitiert, wonach sie bisher vergeblich auf Hilfe warteten. Die Staatsorgane hätten die Lage nicht im Griff. Im staatlich kontrollierten Fernsehen zeigten sich führende Generäle der Militärregierung des Landes, wie sie sich ein Bild von der Lage machten. Unterdessen wurde bekannt, dass die Militärjunta an dem für Samstag geplanten Verfassungsreferendum festhalten will. Ungeachtet der größtenteils zusammengebrochenen Infrastruktur des Landes – die ehemalige Hauptstadt Rangun ist ohne Wasser und Strom – sollen die Bürger am Samstag über einen Verfassungsentwurf abstimmen, der die Rechte der Militärjunta noch weiter festigen soll. Mit einer eigens geschaffenen Bestimmung wurde zudem sichergestellt, dass die unter Hausarrest stehende prominente Oppositionspolitikerin Aung San Suu Kyi nicht für das höchste Staatsamt kandidieren kann. In der Verfassung heißt es, dass niemand kandidieren kann, der mit Ausländern ehelich gebunden gewesen ist oder war. Suu Kyi war jedoch mit einem britischen Staatsbürger verheiratet.

Erste Hilfe soll aus Thailand und Indien geleistet werden. Plastikplanen für Dächer, Tabletten zum Wasser-Desinfizieren, Kochmaterialien, Decken und Kleidung sollen laut einem thailändischen Militärsprecher am Dienstag mit einem Transportflugzeug nach Myanmar transportiert werden. Auch aus Malaysia soll bald Hilfe eintreffen.


Ciclone Nargis causa estragos em Mianmar

Mais de 10 mil pessoas morreram[1] após a passagem de um ciclone em Mianmar. Como resultado, o governo local declarou cinco províncias como área de desastre natural.

Um diplomata na área disse à Agência Noticiosa Reuters sobre a situação no país. Ele disse que a área em volta dele parecia uma ‘zona de guerra’ após a passagem do Ciclone Nargis.

Uma autoridade da Organização das Nações Unidoas comentou sobre a situação. “Quase todas as casas foram destruídas. As pessoas estão numa situação terrível”, ele disse. Outro representante da ONU também falou sobre o incidente. Ele relatou que “o Delta do Rio Irrawaddy” foi duramente atingido, não somente pelas chuvas e pelos ventos, mas também pela maré ciclônica.“


38 killed after US helicopter crashes in Afghanistan

38 people were killed on Saturday when a US Chinook helicopter crashed west of Kabul, Afghanistan, with the Taliban claiming responsibility for the crash.

Thirty Americans were killed in the crash, including at least seventeen members of SEAL Team 6, Air Force members, the helicopter's crew, a dog handler and a civilian interpreter, while eight members of the Afghan Army were also on board and died.

According to witnesses, members of the Taliban and officials from the US and Afghanistan, the Chinook was deliberately targeted, apparently  by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG).  While no American officials have spoken on the record about the cause of the crash, anonymous sources have said that the helicopter was shot down, an assertion that corresponds with reports from local officials and witness, who said that the helicopter crashed after a rocket struck it.

The Taliban said that they had brought the aircraft down while it was involved in an operation targeting a house where insurgents were meeting.  While Taliban forces do not have a history of shooting down aircraft, they claim to have modified their RPGs for improved accuracy, but there is no proof of this.

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, warned against leaping to conclusions, however, saying that "[i]nformation is still coming in about this incident. I think it's important that we allow investigators to do their work before jumping to too many conclusions."

President Barack Obama issued a statement after the incident, saying that "[t]heir deaths are a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women of our military and their families, including all who have served in Afghanistan."


Спецподразделение, уничтожившее бин Ладена, понесло крупные потери

Президент Афганистана Хамид Карзай заявил, что в результате крушения вертолёта погибли 31 американских и семеро афганских военных. Катастрофа произошла в провинции Вардак на востоке страны.

Со ссылкой на официальных лиц США, говоривших на условиях анонимности, СМИ сообщают, что среди погибших — 22 бойца спецподразделения Navy SEAL, несколько месяцев назад уничтожившего Усаму бин Ладена. Военное командование отметило, что среди погибших спецназовцев нет ни одного из тех, кто непосредственно участвовал в операции по поимке бин Ладена.

Это крупнейшие однократные потери вооруженных сил США в Афганистане с 2001 года.

Ответственность за уничтожение вертолёта взяло на себя движение Талибан, представитель которого сообщил, что в ходе операции были убиты восемь боевиков.

Представители НАТО подтвердили факт гибели вертолёта, но пока не предоставили детальной информации о погибших. Однако они признали, что в районе гибели вертолёта была отмечена активность противника.

Очевидцы сообщают, что вертолёт Chinook упал, после того, как попытался подняться в воздух и что рядом с ним находились ещё несколько вертолётов.

Президент Афганистана Хамид Карзай выразил соболезнования президенту США Бараку Обаме и семьям погибших.

7 августа 2011 года


38 miners killed in Russian mine explosion

At least 38 miners are dead after methane exploded in an underground coal mine in Russia. 180 people made it out of the mine, and at least 7 of those were seriously injured. At least 217 miners were inside when the explosion occurred.

"Up to 45 people could have been at the epicenter of the blast. One hundred and eighty people have been brought out. Of these, five have life-threatening injuries. The fate of the other [trapped] miners is unknown. According to the (mining) company’s information, there were 194 workers and 23 engineering inspectors underground [when the mine exploded]," said a spokesman for Russia's Emergency Ministry.

The explosion occurred at the Yubileynaya (Jubilee) Mine located in Novokuznetsk, Russia in the Kemerovo Oblast at approximately 7:40 a.m. local time on Thursday [11:40 p.m. eastern time on Wednesday]. Yuzhkuzbassugol currently owns the mining facility.

The mine has already received several violations, and according to Russia's industrial safety agency the mine would likely lose its license to operate. "Such a decision could be taken after an inquiry into all the circumstances of the accident at the Yubileinaya mine. Particularly since we have already found violations at Yuzhkuzbassugol mines."


Russie : un coup de grisou fait 38 morts dans une mine du sud de la Sibérie

Un coup de grisou, survenu jeudi 24 mai 2007, dans une mine de charbon en Russie, a fait 38 morts, tandis qu'environ 180 mineurs parvenaient à être remontés à la surface.

L'explosion s'est produite à 7 h 40 (heure locale, soit 3 h 40 UTC) dans la mine Youbileïnaya, appartenant à la compagnie Youjkouzbassougol, près de la ville de Novokouznetsk, dans l'oblast de Kemerovo (sud de la Sibérie, à environ 3 000 km au sud-est de Moscou.

217 mineurs (dont 194 ouvriers et 23 ingénieurs) se trouvaient dans le puits de mine au moment de la catastrophe. Selon les derniers décomptes, 38 d'entre eux auraient trouvé la mort et 2 seraient portés disparus, tandis que 177 auraient pu regagner la surface dont 7 souffrant de blessures dont la gravité n'a pas été indiquée.

Un précédent coup de grisou, le 19 mars, dans une mine appartenant à la même compagnie et située dans la même région, avait causé la mort de 110 mineurs. Ce nouvel accident remet en lumière la sécurité au sein des exploitations charbonnières, sécurité qui, selon certaines sources indépendantes laisserait fortement à désirer.

La catastrophe survenue au mois de mars avait ainsi entraîné l'ouverture d'une enquête, à la requête sur gouvernement fédéral, sur le respect des conditions de sécurité dans ce secteur d'activité.

Concernant la seule mine Youbileïnaya, on rapporte que le Rostekhnadzor (Ростехнадзор) [1], organisme fédéral chargé notamment de veiller sur la sécurité des installations industrielles, avait réclamé à plusieurs reprises la suspension de l'exploitation dans la mine Youbileïnaya, mais s'évait vu débouter par la justice locale lorsqu'il avait contesté les restrictions opposées par l'entreprise à ses inspecteurs.

L'affaire fait grand bruit en Russie, le gouverneur de l'oblast de Kemerovo réclamant par exemple des changements dans la direction de la compagnie Youjkouzbassougol, voire un changement de propriétaire, tandis qu'il était annoncé qu'une indemnité d'un million de roubles (soit environ 40 000 dollars américains) pourrait être allouée à la famille de chacune des victimes de la catastrophe.

La mine Youbileïnaya, dont l'exploitation avait démarré en 1966, a produit plus de 900 000 m3 de charbon en 2006.


44 dead and over 300,000 homeless after flooding in Brazil

Floods affecting five states in northeastern Brazil have left hundreds of thousands homeless and have taken 44 lives. Heavy rainfall which began in early April has caused overland flooding that has destroyed homes in the region and landslides that have blocked roads, including 6 major highways, and a railway.

The Associated Press reports that over 300,000 are homeless in north eastern Brazil, and CNN states 270 communities have been affected by overland water from flooded rivers. This flood has been the worst to strike the area since the 1950s and officials estimate damages at one billion reais (about US$482 million).

Civil defence authorities placed the homeless figure at about 185,000 as of Saturday. Emergency shelters have taken in some of the homeless, and friends and relatives have opened their doors to others who have been forced from their homes.

Maranhão has been hit the hardest, and has lost nine residents, two due to electrocution.  The state has declared a state of emergency as over 40,000 are homeless and without water.  A canoe with seven people aboard capsized.  Police and firefighting officials are searching for two who are still missing.

Twelve deaths have been reported in the state of Ceará. Bahia on the Atlantic coast has suffered seven fatalities.

The state of Amazonas has lost eight people so far. The Rio Negro, the largest tributary of the Amazon, has been rising.

Piauí is suffering from two swollen rivers, no electricity due to power failures, and no potable water.

The Brazilian government began to send food via military cargo planes on Friday. The government has also sent out rice and beans by boat and helicopter to a few places. Officials verify that they are sending out as much aid as possible.  Land slides combined with overland waters have washed out roads are making deliveries challenging.

Emergency flood crews are struggling to open roads and pathways for food, supplies and aid.

"We have to go out and find food because almost nothing's arrived here," said a victim helping out in an emergency shelter. Homeless people huddled together by the thousands in tents and cow pens are fishing and leaving by canoe to find food.

Besides drowning, electrocution is also taking victims. rattlesnakes and anacondas, and alligators are also displaced and are swimming through partially submerged communities in the swollen waters.

This northeastern region of Brazil typically endures drought-like conditions. meteorologists are baffled by the deluge of rain which hit the area for the past fourteen days. Precipitation is estimated to continue for another week and half.


Hunderttausende obdachlos durch Überschwemmungen im Nordosten Brasiliens

Manaus / Salvador da Bahía (Brasilien), 13.05.2009 – Anhaltende Regenfälle haben in zehn Bundesstaaten Brasiliens zu Überschwemmungen geführt, die mindestens 300.000 Menschen obdachlos machten. Mindestens 39 Personen wurden getötet, 1,1 Millionen Bewohner Brasiliens sind von der Katastrophe betroffen. Durch Erdrutsche wurden Häuser zerstört sowie Straßen und eine Eisenbahnstrecke unterbrochen. Die Überschwemmungen sollen die schlimmsten seit den 1950er Jahren sein. CNN berichtete, dass 270 Gemeinden von den Überschwemmungen betroffen seien. Die Behörden geben den Sachschaden derzeit mit einer Milliarde Real an, rund 350 Millionen Euro.

Am stärksten betroffen von den Fluten ist der Bundesstaat Maranhão. Hier verloren mindestens neun Bewohner ihr Leben, zwei werden vermisst. Die normalerweise 18.300 Einwohner der Stadt Trizidela do Vale flüchteten in einen Nachbarort. Durch den Anstieg des Rio Mearim um sechs Meter sind die Hauser des Ortes bis an die Dächer überflutet. In der 70.000 Einwohner zählenden Stadt Bacabel wurden nach Angaben eines BBC-Korrespondenten Leichen aus ihren Gräbern gespült.

Manche Flüsse erreichten Wasserstände, die mehr als 15 Meter über dem Normalwert liegen. Der Rio Negro habe in Manaus einen Stand erreicht, der nur 74 Zentimeter unter der Rekordmarke von 1953 liegt, berichtete Agencia Brasil. Niedrig gelegene Stadtteile sind überflutet.

Zwölf Tote wurden aus dem Bundesstaat Ceará gemeldet, sieben aus Bahia. Im Bundesstaat Amazonas, wo der Rio Negro Hochwasser führt, starben acht Menschen. Hier wurde der Viehbestand vieler Viehzüchter durch die Fluten vernichtet. Auch Piauí ist von den Fluten betroffen, hier ist die Stromversorgung unterbrochen, und es gibt kein Trinkwasser.
Insgesamt wurden mindestens 39 Menschen durch die Überschwemmungen getötet, wobei nach Behördenangaben drei weitere Todesfälle nicht mit den Überschwemmungen in Zusammenhang stehen sollen. In manchen Gebieten kommt es zu Plünderungen.

Gefahr droht den Bewohnern nicht nur durch Ertrinken, sondern auch durch Stromschläge aufgrund von überspülten Leitungen sowie durch Tiere, wie Schlangen und Alligatoren, die vom Hochwasser in die überschwemmten Ortschaften gespült wurden. Außerdem droht der Ausbruch von Seuchen.

„Lebensmittel und Trinkwasser sind die Prioritäten, weil die Menschen verunreinigtes Wasser trinken“, schilderte Dorothea de Araujo von der Hilfsorganisation World Vision die Lage in Amazonas.

Die brasilianische Regierung hat am 8. Mai begonnen, mit Militärflugzeugen, Hubschraubern und Booten Lebensmittel in die betroffenen Gebiete zu schicken. Sie entsandte außerdem Soldaten, die Notunterkünfte errichteten. Allerdings wurde Kritik an den Behörden geäußert, die Hilfe komme zu spät und zu schleppend. „Wir werden diesmal schneller reagieren, aber ich kann noch nicht sagen, wann“, so Minister Geddel Vieira Lima.

Der Nordosten Brasiliens liegt in einer eher trockenen Zone, sodass die Meteorologen von den Niederschlagsmengen überrascht sind, die in dem Gebiet seit Anfang April niedergingen. Die Regenfälle sollen den Vorhersagen zufolge noch eine Woche anhalten. Die Meteorologen gaben an, dass die normalerweise im März vorherrschende Wetterlage auf dem Atlantik sich in diesem Jahr bislang nicht verändert hat. Brasiliens Staatspräsident Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva erklärte sein Mitgefühl für die Betroffenen. „Ich weiß, was es heißt, ein Haus voll mit Wasser zu haben.“  Da Silva stammt aus dem veramten Nordosten Brasiliens. Er machte den Klimawandel für die Situation verantwortlich. „Etwas verändert sich, und wir haben immer noch Zeit, das in Ordnung zu bringen.“ Der Süden Brasiliens, wo derzeit eine Dürre herrscht, war im Dezember von Überschwemmungen betroffen, bei denen 120 Menschen ihr Leben verloren. Jetzt wird für diese Region wieder starker Niederschlag prognostiziert.


46-passenger Venezuelan plane reported missing

A Venezuelan plane with 46 passengers onboard has been reported missing in western Venezuela, officials say.

The Santa Barbara Airlines plane took off just before dusk from the city of Mérida en route to Simón Bolívar International Airport outside the capital city of Caracas.

Noel Marquez, director of Venezuela's emergency management agency in Mérida, said the plane has failed to contact control towers. Civil Defense chief General Antonio Rivero told reporters that it is unknown whether or not the plane crashed or is simply missing.

Mérida a town roughly 680 kilometers (422 miles) from Caracas is a popular tourist location.


Avión se estrelló en Venezuela con 40 pasajeros a bordo

Un avión comercial con 43 pasajeros a bordo se estrelló al oeste de Venezuela, en el estado de Mérida a 600 km de Caracas. El avión transportaba a 43 personas y 3 tripulantes.

El avión, que cayó en el sector de Coyado del Condór, en Los Andes venezolanos es de la aerolínea de Santa Bárbara que hacía un vuelo local en Venezuela, el cual había sido reportado como desaparecido tras dejar de informar su situación a la torre de control. El vuelo debía llegar al aeropuerto de Maiquetía, en la costa del mar Caribe, en las cercanías de Caracas.

El Servicio Aeronáutico de Rescate (SAR) informó que la aeronave después de declararse en "fase Detresfa" (emergencia), a las 17.45 (21.15 GMT), el avión no estableció nuevamente comunicaciones con el puesto de control de aeropuerto de Valera, en el estado de Trujillo.


Matkustajakone putosi Venezuelassa

Venezuelassa pelätään ainakin 46 ihmisen kuolleen lentokoneen syöksyttyä maahan itä-Venezuelassa Meridan alueella. Onnettomuus tapahtui noin 480 kilometriä Venezuelan pääkaupungista Caracasista lounaaseen.

Paikallisen lentoyhtiön, Santa Barbara Airlinesin kone oli tapahtumahetkellä reittilennolla Meridasta Caracasiin. Paikallisen siviili-ilmailuhallinnon mukaan lentokone oli Ranskalais-Italialainen ATR:n valmistama ATR 42-300. Aviation Safety Network kertoo, että ATR:n 42-sarjan koneilla on ollut aiemmin ainakin 17 onnettomuutta sen ensilennon jälkeen vuodesta 1984.

Torstainen lento-onnettomuus on jo toinen vakava tapaus tämän vuoden puolella. Yhteensä 14 ihmistä, joiden joukossa oli kahdeksan italialaista ja yksi sveitsiläinen, kuoli tammikuussa lentokoneen syöksyttyä mereen.


Desaparece avião na Venezuela

Um avião da companhia Santa Bárbara Airlines, com 43 passageiros e três tripulantes a bordo, desapareceu no final da tarde desta quinta-feira no sudoeste da Venezuela. A aeronave pode ter caído em uma região remota dos Andes.

"Recebemos um telefonema dos habitantes da região de Coyado del Cóndor, nos Andes venezuelanos, informando que o avião caiu na área", disse à agência de notícias France Presse o diretor da Proteção Civil (PC) de Mérida, Noel Márquez.

A aeronave da companhia venezuelana cobria a rota entre a cidade de Mérida (500 quilômetros a sudoeste de Caracas) e o aeroporto Simón Bolívar de Maiquetía, que dá acesso à capital. A área do acidente, um terreno íngreme, registrava temperaturas entre 2°C e 4°C no momento da queda.


49 dead after Comair regional jet crashes in Kentucky

A Comair commuter jet crashed on takeoff from Lexington, Kentucky yesterday, killing 49 people on board and seriously injuring the plane's first officer, James M. Polehinke.

The early-morning Flight 5191 was operating as Delta Connection and was headed from Lexington's Blue Grass Airport to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. It crashed about a mile west of the airport at 6:07 a.m. Eastern Time. The plane was a Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-100.

Polehinke was taken to the University of Kentucky's Chandler Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the aircraft departed from a shorter runway than it was cleared to take off from.

According to Gary Ginn, the Fayette County coroner, there was a significant fire on board the aircraft after impact, after which it continued to move forward several hundred yards before coming to a stop. The aircraft, however, is largely intact, Ginn said, and most of the passengers remained inside the cabin.  Ginn said he expects the cause of death to be fire for the majority of the victims. The tail number has been confirmed as N431CA.

Based on information recovered from the flight's data recorder and physical evidence on the scene, the National Transportation Safety Board is focusing on the theory that the pilot attempted to take off from a 3,500-foot or 1067-meter runway that is not certified for airline traffic. That runway is only for general aviation aircraft.

Investigators believe the plane did not get enough speed to lift off the ground before running out of runway. Air traffic controllers in the tower had cleared the flight for takeoff from an adjacent 7,000-foot or 2135-meter runway used for commercial airlines.

Local police and fire fighters responded to the scene within minutes, and it has been reported that two off-duty police officers helped pull Polehinke from the cockpit of the burning jet.

Laura Brown, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration told CNN that there is no indication that terrorism was involved in connection with the crash.

Family members and friends who suspected that their loved ones may have been on Flight 5191 began arriving at Blue Grass Airport shortly after the crash. They have been taken to a local hotel, where staff from Comair as well as airport officials are caring for them and providing them with information. Comair has also set up a hotline where family and friends can receive information: the number is 1-800-801-0088.

Among the dead were Jon Hooker and Scarlett Parsley, who had married just the night before and were off to their honeymoon.

A moment of silence was held for the crash victims before the Los Angeles Dodgers-Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game in Phoenix, where Brandon Webb, a former University of Kentucky baseball teammate of Hooker, is a pitcher. Another passenger, Charles Lykins of Naples, Fla., wanted an early flight so he could get home to his two young children after visiting friends and family in the Lexington area, said Paul Richardson of Winchester. Mike Finley, 52, who lived in Corbin and owned the Finley Fun Centers, was headed to Reno, Nev., for a rollerskating convention, said his son, David Taylor. "I'd say there's thousands of kids who grew up with our father," he said.

Rick Queen, who works for Turfway Realty in Lexington, said his father-in-law, Les Morris, was on the flight. Queen and Taylor were both frustrated with how Comair handled the families. "I just felt Delta ran families around this morning for three hours. I finally got some help from a Lexington firefighter," Taylor said.

Flight attendant Kelly Heyer was single and lived in the Cincinnati area. He had been working for the airline since 2004 and was recently appointed base representative for the flight attendant union said Tracy Riley, a union secretary and fellow Comair flight attendant. "He was a standup individual," Riley said. "He was very professional, loved the job."

Bornhorst described his own reaction as "complete devastation" and he lamented the frustration of the families as they awaited word. "When tragedies like this happen, information can just not be relayed fast enough and I certainly understand the frustrations related to that," Bornhorst said.


Flugzeugabsturz einer Comair-Maschine in Kentucky

Lexington (Vereinigte Staaten), 27.08.2006 – Ein Regionaljet, der auf dem Weg nach Atlanta war, stürzte heute um 06:07 Uhr Ortszeit in Lexington im US-Bundesstaat Kentucky kurz nach dem Start ab. Beim Flugzeug handelte es sich um einen Regionaljet vom Typ CRJ-200 der Delta-Tochter „Comair“. An Board befanden sich 47 Passagiere und drei Besatzungsmitglieder, also 50 Menschen, von denen nur eine Person schwer verletzt überlebte, wie eine Sprecherin der US-Luftfahrtbehörde FAA mitteilte.


Tientallen doden na vliegtuigcrash VS

Een passagiersvliegtuig met 50 mensen aan boord is neergestort in een veld.

Vlucht 5191 van de luchtvaartmaatschappij Comair, een CRJ-200 vliegtuig, vertrok met 47 passagiers en drie bemanningsleden aan boord. Het vloog kort na het opstijgen in brand en stortte om 06.19 uur lokale tijd neer. Dit gebeurde zo'n anderhalve kilometer vanaf het Blue Grass vliegveld in Kentucky. Het vliegtuig was onderweg naar Atlanta, aldus Kathleen Bergen van de FAA.

Op het moment van het ongeluk was er sprake van een kleine regenbui, maar dit lijkt niet de oorzaak van de crash te zijn. Het hoofd van de luchtvaartmaatschappij sloot echter nog niks uit. Er is officieel nog geen mogelijke oorzaak gegeven, maar volgens Laura Brown, eveneens van de FAA, zijn er aanwijzingen voor terrorisme.

Na de crash was het toestel nog grotendeels intact, maar er was wel brand, maakte de politie bekend.

Volgens de autoriteiten heeft één persoon die aan boord was van het toestel de ramp overleefd. Het ziekenhuis van de Universiteit van Kentucky is de overlevende aan het behandelen, het gaat om  de co-piloot die nog steeds in kritieke toestand ligt, zei Jay Blanton, een woordvoerder voor het vliegveld. De lokale lijkschouwer maakte bekend dat er een tijdelijk mortuarium wordt opgezet bij het rampgebied. Hij zei ook dat de zwarte dozen van het vliegtuig zijn gevonden.

Het hoofd van de vliegtuigmaatschappij heeft met familie en vrienden van de slachtoffers gesproken, zij stonden op dat moment nog steeds te wachten tot het vliegtuig zou landen. Comair is eigendom van Delta Air Lines.

Het passagiersvliegtuig was zaterdag nog gecontroleerd op eventuele technische gebreken, deze werden niet gevonden. Het is een nieuw toestel dat vanaf januari 2006 in dienst was. De kapitein was Jeffrey Clay, hij was al 7 jaar in dienst bij de luchtvaartmaatschappij en werd in 2002 tot "Captain" benoemd.


5.6 earthquake strikes California

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) a magnitude 5.6 earthquake, lasting about 30 seconds, struck at 20:04:54 (PDT) on October 30, 2007, with the epicenter being five miles north, northeast of Alum Rock California and nine miles northeast of the center of San Jose.  The actual coordinates given by USGS put it along the border of San Jose and Milpitas in the hills near neighborhoods in both cities. The quake was felt as far away as the California communities of Sacramento, Sonoma, and Los Banos. It was the most powerful quake in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley since 1989.

At least ten aftershocks had been reported by 8:35 p.m with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 1.8.

Phone service, including cellular phone service, was reported to be down in some areas around the epicenter. Residents and business owners also reported their homes shaking.

According to the USGS, damage could be "moderate to heavy" and Rafael Abreu of the USGS said that the earthquake is considered "moderate," but so far there are "no injuries." The quake was reported at a depth of 9.2 km (5.7 miles).

USGS predicts a 30% chance of strong (magnitude >5) aftershocks in the next seven days, with a 5-10% probability of aftershocks stronger than the main quake. Additionally, USGS predicts approximately 15-40 small (magnitude 3-5) aftershocks.

The USGS reports that the quake was centered on the Calaveras Fault, and was the most powerful earthquake on that fault since the 1984 Morgan Hill earthquake.


Un tremblement de terre de magnitude 5,6 frappe la Californie

Selon l'United States Geological Survey (USGS) un tremblement de terre de magnitude 5,6 ayant duré 90 secondes a frappé la Nord de la Californie à 20:04:54 heure locale. L'épicentre se situait à seize km au nord-est de San Jose. Selon les premiers calculs de l'USGS, l'épicentre se trouve à la limite entre les villes de San José et Milpitas dans les montagnes environnant ces deux villes à une profondeur d'environ neuf kilomètres. Le tremblement de terre a été ressenti jusqu'a Sacramento, Sonoma et Los Banos[1]. Ce tremblement de terre est le plus violent dans la zone de la baie de San Francisco et de la Silicon Valley depuis 1989.
Au moins dix répliques ont été ressenties, allant de 1,3 à 1,8 sur l'échelle de Richter.
Parmi les dégâts recensés, on note l'interruption du service de téléphone et des habitants ont dit avoir senti leur maison trembler.
Selon l'USGS, les dégâts pourraient aller de modérés à sévères. Bien que le tremblement de terre soit considéré par l'USGS comme modéré, aucun blessé n'est à déplorer.
Les prédictions de l'USGS font état d'une probabilité d'environ 30% qu'une réplique d'une magnitude supérieur à 5 frappe la région dans les sept jours ainsi que l'éventualité d'environ trente à quarante répliques de faible intensité.
Ce tremblement de terre s'est produit sur la faille de Calaveras, c'est le plus puissant ayant eu lieu sur cette faille depuis 1984[1].


5.8 magnitude earthquake rocks San Diego and northern Mexico

At 10:49 PST (18:49 UTC) yesterday the United States Geological Survey reported that a 5.8 magnitude earthquake was felt in {{w|San Diego, California|San Diego]] and southern California down to Tijuana, Mexico.  There was also a 4.8 magnitude aftershock recorded at 10:53 PST.  The epicenter of the quake is believed to be near the Mexican city of Mexicali.

The Southern California area had been experiencing lesser magnitude earthquakes for the past week, ranging in magnitude from  2 to 3. The earthquake occurred about 4.3 miles into the earths crust, which is considered shallow.  Shallow earthquakes often cause more damage than deeper ones.

No major damage has been reported at this time, and the California Highway Patrol has not reported any major disruptions on local roads.  Minor damage to the Imperial County Administration Building in El Centro, California has been reported. The San Diego City Hall building shook for about 30 seconds after the quake, according to the XETV. In Mexicali, buildings were evacuated, and some traffic lights are not working, said Mexicali journalist Sergio Haro.


Un tremblement de terre de magnitude 5,8 secoue la Californie et le nord du Mexique

À 10 h 49, heure locale (18 h 49 GMT), mercredi 30 décembre, le United States Geological Survey[1] a rapporté qu'un séisme de magnitude de 5,8 sur l'échelle de Richter a été ressenti à San Diego, ainsi que du sud de la Californie à Tijuana, dans le nord du Mexique. Quatre minutes plus tard, une réplique de magnitude de 4,8 a été enregistrée. L'épicentre du séisme a été identifié près de la ville mexicaine de Mexicali.

La Californie du sud avait précédemment subi plusieurs secousses de faible magnitude[2] depuis une semaine. Le tremblement de terre est survenu à environ 4,3 miles de profondeur sous la croûte terrestre, ce qui est considéré comme peu profond. Les séismes de profondeur plus importante causent souvent davantage de dommages.

Aucun dégât majeur n'a été signalé, et la police autoroutière californienne n'a pas annoncé de perturbation du trafic sur les routes locales. Seule une petite dégradation de l'immeuble du siège du comté d'Imperial, à El Centro, est à déplorer. Par ailleurs, selon la chaîne XETV, la mairie de San Diego a continué d'être ébranlée durant environ 30 secondes après la fin de la secousse. À Mexicali, en revanche, plusieurs immeubles ont été évacués, et de nombreux feux de signalisation ont cessé de fonctionner, a expliqué le journaliste mexicain Sergio Haro.


5.9 magnitude aftershock strikes Lolol, Chile area

A strong aftershock of the March 11 Pichilemu earthquake occurred today, at 12:29:49 local time (16:29:49 UTC), National Emergencies Office of Chile reports. The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.9, and occurred 13 kilometers southwest of Lolol, O'Higgins Region, at a depth of 50 kilometers.

The United States Geological Survey, however, reported the earthquake had a magnitude of 4.9, and that it occurred at a depth of 64.9 kilometers. The epicenter was located 70 kilometers west-southwest of Rancagua, O'Higgins; 80 kilometers north-northwest of Curicó, Maule; 80 kilometers south of San Antonio, Valparaíso; and 125 kilometers southwest of Santiago, Metropolitan Region.

The University of Chile Geological Service, for their part, reported the earthquake had a magnitude of 5.6, and that it occurred 43 kilometers southwest of Santa Cruz, at a depth of 51 kilometers.

The aftershock was clearly felt in Pichilemu; schools quickly evacuated to secure zones. There were reported power outages in Lolol. Telephone calls were truncated for a few minutes in O'Higgins Region. No infrastructural damage or casualties have been reported.

According to BBC News, eight aftershocks have occurred along the coast of O'Higgins Region, between magnitudes of 3.1 and 3.7.


Efterskalv drabbar Lolol, Chile

Ett kraftigt efter skalv till skalvet den 11 mars i Pichilemu inträffade i dag klockan 12:29:49 lokal tid meddelar de Chilenska myndigheterna. Skalvet mätte 5.9 på Richterskalan och hade sitt epicenter 13 kilometer sydväst om Lolol,
O'Higgins Regionen på ett djup av 50 kilometer.

United States Geological Survey raporterade dock skalvet som styrka 4,9 på Richterskalan och på ett djup av 64,9 kilometer. Med ett centrum 70 kilometer väst-sydväst av Rancagua, O'Higgins och 80 kilometer nord-nordväst om Curicó. Maule; och 80 kilometer syd om San Antonio, Valparaíso, samt 125 kilometer sydväst om Santiago.

Universidad de Chile rapporterade det som 5,6 med ett epicentrum cirka 43 kilometer sydväst om Santa Cruz på ett djup av 51 kilometer.

Efterskalven kändes tydligt i Pichilemu där skolorna utrymdes. Det har kommit rapporter om strömavbrott i Lolol. Och telefonförbindelserna kapades för ett par minuter med O'Higgins Regionen. Ingen skador på infrastrukturer eller människor har rapporterats. Enligt BBC News har åtta efterskalv mellan 3,1 och 3,7 drabbat O'Higgins Regionen.


5.9 magnitude earthquake in Pichilemu, Chile revives fears of new tragedy

Another strong aftershock hit Chile early Sunday morning. The aftershock reached a magnitude of 5.9 with the epicenter located nineteen kilometers west of Pichilemu, according to the University of Chile Geological Survey (UCGS).

The UCGS has also reported that the quake reached a depth of 30.1 kilometers and that the intensities in the Mercalli scale were: Pichilemu, Navidad and Talca: VI; Rancagua, Santa Cruz, Lolol and San Fernando: V; Casablanca, San Antonio and Santo Domingo: IV; La Calera, La Ligua, Limache, Los Andes, Papudo, Petorca, Quillota, Santiago de Chile, Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: III.

However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that it reached a magnitude of 5.8; had a depth of 8,5 kilometers; and that the epicenter was located 65 kilometers at the southwest of San Antonio, Valparaíso; 100 kilometers at the west of Rancagua, O'Higgins 105 kilometers at the northwest of Curicó, Maule and; 135 kilometers at the southwest of Santiago, Metropolitan Region.

ONEMI (National Emergencies Office), reported that Talca, located 258 kilometers south of Santiago, was the city where the aftershock was felt the strongest. Pablo Marín of ONEMI told TV Chile no casualties were reported and only some telephone lines had collapsed.

More than eight aftershocks hit the area, has reported the University of Chile Geological Survey. On Sunday:

On Monday:


Chili : un séisme de magnitude 5,9 à Pichilemu laisse craindre une nouvelle catastrophe

Une nouvelle forte réplique a frappé le Chili tôt dans la matinée de dimanche. Cette réplique a atteint une magnitude de 5,9 sur l'échelle du moment avec un épicentre localisé à 19 kilomètres à l'ouest de Pichilemu, selon l'Institut d'études géologique de l'Université du Chili (UCGS).

L'UCGS a aussi rapporté que l'épicentre est situé à 30,1 kilomètre de profondeur et que les zones d'intensité selon l'Échelle de Mercalli étaient : Pichilemu, Navidad et Talca : VI ; Rancagua, Santa Cruz, Lolol et San Fernando : V ; Casablanca, San Antonio et Santo Domingo : IV ; La Calera, La Ligua, Limache, Los Andes, Papudo, Petorca, Quillota, Santiago du Chili, Valparaíso et Viña del Mar : III.

Cependant, l'Institut d'études géologique des États-Unis (USGS) annonce que le même séisme a été de magnitude de 5,8, à une profondeur de 8,5 kilomètres et que l'épicentre est situé à 65 kilomètres au sud-ouest San Antonio, Valparaíso ; 100 kilomètres à l'ouest de Rancagua, O'Higgins 105 kilomètres au nord-ouest de Curicó, Maule, et 135 kilomètres au sud-ouest de la région métropolitaine de Santiago.

D'après l'Office national des urgences (ONEMI), Talca, située à 258 kilomètres au sud de Santiago, est la ville où la réplique a été ressentie le plus fortement. Pablo Marín de l'ONEMI a déclaré à la télévision qu'aucune victime n'est à déplorer et que quelques lignes téléphoniques ont été coupées.

Plus de huit répliques ont été déjà enregistré dans cette zone, selon l'institut géologique de l'Université du Chili.


54 dead after bus crash in southern Brazil

A bus carrying 60 passengers to a religious event in the Santa Catarina state of Brazil plunged over a cliff on Saturday evening. The driver reportedly lost control whilst approaching a curve, leading the bus to fall 400 metres into a wooded area just ten kilometres away from Joinville, the final destination. Whilst the cause of the accident is not yet confirmed, police believe that the brakes on the vehicle may have failed.

Approximately 100 rescue workers, plus fifteen ambulances and a helicopter were on the scene; although, the accident happened at nightfall making access to the area difficult. President Dilma Rousseff expressed her condolences upon hearing the news, saying: "In this hour of pain of suffering, I want to extend my sympathies to the families and friends who have lost their dear ones."

The roads that wind through the Dona Francisca mountain range are notoriously dangerous, with 110 fatalities on these roads in the past five years, according to police. Throughout the nation, with the World Health Organisation stating 43,000 people die annually in accidents on the congested and poorly maintained roads.

The first funerals for the recovered victims are to take place Monday.


Un autobús va caure a un barranc matant a més de 51 persones a Brasil

16 de març del 2015, Joinville (Brasil)

Com els equips de rescat continuen buscant els passatgers prop del vehicle, el nombre de víctimes d'un accident d'autobús al sud del Brasil segueix augmentant, augmentant a almenys 54 morts.

Els passatgers van sortir d'União da Vitória i es van dirigir a l'estat de Paraná al nord per assistir a un esdeveniment religiós. Dissabte a la nit, mentre estaven en les proximitats de Joinville i Campo Alegre, l'autobús va caure a un barranc amb una profunditat d'uns 400 metres. El conductor va perdre el control en un revolt d'acord amb les autoritats, però una investigació està en curs per determinar les causes exactes de l'accident. “Hi ha gent a les muntanyes, a l'autobús, encallats en la canal. Les possibilitats que encara podem trobar algú amb vida són mínimes”, ha declarat el coronel Nelson Coelho, de la policia de l'estat de Santa Catarina.


Brésil : un autocar plonge dans un ravin faisant plus de 50 morts

Alors que les secouristes sont toujours à la recherche de passagers à proximité du véhicule, le bilan des victimes d'un accident d'autocar au sud du Brésil ne cesse de s'alourdir, passant à au moins 54 morts.

Publié le 15 mars 2015   Les passagers sont partie de União da Vitória et se dirigeaient vers l'État du Parana au nord pour assister à un évènement religieux. Samedi soir, alors qu'ils se trouvaient dans les environs de Joinville et de Campo Alegre, l'autocar a chuté dans un ravin d'une profondeur d'environ 400 mètres. Le chauffeur aurait perdu le contrôle dans une courbe selon les autorités, mais une enquête est en cours afin déterminer les causes exactes de l’accident. « Il y a des gens dans la montagne, dans l'autocar, coincés dans la carcasse. Les chances que nous trouvions encore quelqu'un en vie sont minimes », a déclaré le colonel Nelson Coelho, de la police de l'Etat de Santa Catarina.


51 mortes após desastre de ônibus no sul do Brasil

Um ônibus que transportava 60 passageiros que iam para um evento religioso no sul do Brasil, saído da cidade de União da Vitoria (no estado de Paraná) para Joinville (no estado de Santa Catarina), caiu de um penhasco na noite de sábado (14), apenas a 10 quilômetros de distância do destino final. Enquanto o veículo de passageiros estava na proximidade entre os municípios de Campo Alegre e Joinville, caiu junto com os passageiros em um barranco com uma profundidade de cerca de 400 metros, numa área arborizada.

A suspeita é que o motorista perdeu o controle do veículo após falha nos freios, enquanto se aproximava da curva, levando o ônibus a cair a 400 metros. A suspeita dessa falha nos freios foi divulgada por autoridades policiais ontem (15), no entanto, essa causa do acidente ainda não está confirmada, já que de acordo com as autoridades, uma investigação está em andamento para determinar as causas exatas do acidente.

Cerca de 100 bombeiros trabalham no resgate, além de quinze ambulâncias e um helicóptero estavam no local, embora, o acidente acontecido ao anoitecer, tornando o acesso à área difícil.

As estradas que serpenteiam através da serra Dona Francisca são notoriamente perigosas, com 110 mortes nestas estradas nos últimos cinco anos, segundo a polícia. Em todo o país, com a Organização Mundial da Saúde afirma que 43.000 pessoas morrem anualmente em acidentes nas estradas congestionadas e mal conservados.

A presidenta Dilma Rousseff expressou suas condolências ao ouvir a notícia:

O desastre teve repercussão internacional pelo elevado número de passageiros. Os primeiros funerais das vítimas que foram retiradas acontecem hoje (segunda-feira, 16) e os dias seguintes.


6.0 magnitude earthquake rocks eastern Turkey

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Başyurt, in the Elazığ province of eastern Turkey at 04:32 AM (02:32 GMT) on Monday. According to the local Kandilli observatory, the quake struck at a depth of five kilometres; the epicenter was near Karakoçan town in the same province.

The pre-dawn earthquake killed at least 40 people and almost 100 were injured. The village of Okçular was worst hit, claimed the press secretary for the provincial governor, Özcan Yalçın. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, nearly five hours later, a magnitude-5.5 aftershock hit the province. 40 other aftershocks followed shortly, the highest of them being 4.4 magnitude, according to sources.

While no deaths were immediately reported, the government's crisis management center soon put the toll at seventeen with another 60 injured according to the officials at Ankara, the capital. It was soon confirmed that at least 39 were dead; the toll is expected to rise. At least four of the victims were children.

Muammer Erol, the provincial governor of Elazığ, stated Okçular, Yukarıkanatlı and Kayalık accounted for majority of the dead. He told CNN Turk that "villages consisting mainly of mud-brick houses have been damaged, but we have minimal damage such as cracks in buildings made of cement or stone".

Okçular, the largest of the affected villages, accounted for at least seventeen of the dead. The village has a population of 800, and the majority of the dwellers live in mud-brick homes built on hillsides. About 25 to 30 houses were demolished in this village. "The village is totally flattened," Hasan Demirdağ, local administrator, told NTV.

Yadin Apaydin, the administrator of Yukarıkanatlı, said his village had been severely affected. "Everything has been knocked down - there is not a stone in place," he told CNN's Turkey sister network, CNN Türk.

"Many houses have collapsed. Search and rescue teams have been sent to the area," said the prime minister's office in a statement. Injured people are being rushed to local hospitals according to sources. At least 100 people have been taken to hospital. Some who panicked after the first quake jumped from balconies or windows were injured.

Rescue workers, consisting of policemen as well as civilians dug with shovels to rescue people from the debris. The Turkish Red Crescent is also sending tents and blankets to be distributed. Neighboring districts are providing ambulances to assist the victims. Cemil Çiçek, deputy Prime Minister of Turkey has left for the disaster area. Health Minister Recep Akdağ, Housing Minister Mustafa Demir and State Minister Cevdet Yılmaz are accompanying him.

According to CNN Türk, the tremor of the earthquake was felt in the adjacent provinces of Bitlis and Diyarbakır, causing residents to panic.

Turkey lies on highly active fault lines and earthquakes often hit the nation. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Istanbul killed 20,000 people in August 1999. Most of the earthquakes that hit Turkey are usually minor.


Erdbeben in Ostanatolien fordert Opfer

Ankara (Türkei), 08.03.2010 – Ein Erdbeben mit der Momenten-Magnitude 5,9 Mw hat den Osten der Türkei erschüttert. Das Epizentrum des Bebens lag 625 Kilometer östlich von Ankara, etwa 45 Kilometer westlich von Bingöl. Nach Aussage des stellvertretenden türkischen Ministerpräsidenten Cemil Çiçek kamen bei dem Erdbeben, das sich um 3:34 Uhr mitteleuropäischer Zeit ereignete, mindestens 57 Menschen ums Leben, die Zahl der Verletzten wurde auf mindestens 100 geschätzt.

Muammer Erol, der Gouverneur der Provinz Elazığ, sagte der Presse, dass die meisten Erdbebenopfer aus dem Dorf Okcular und der Umgebung gemeldet wurden. Hier stürzten Häuser in sich zusammen. Viele der eingestürzten Häuser waren aus Lehm erbaut. Moderne aus Beton gebaute Häuser haben den Erdstößen standgehalten. Deswegen wurde Kritik an den Behörden geäußert. Diese hätten die Gefährdung durch Erdbeben nicht ernst genommen. Die Türkei sei ein seismisch aktives Land, in dem Häuser erdbebensicher gebaut werden sollten.

Inzwischen wurden Bergungsarbeiten durch den türkischen Roten Halbmond eingeleitet. Diese wurden jedoch durch etwa 40 Nachbeben mit einer Stärke von bis zu 5,5 Mw erschwert. Ministerpräsident Tayyip Erdoğan versprach den Menschen der Region den Bau neuer Häuser. Die Menschen sollten ihre alten Häuser wegen der Einsturzgefahr nicht mehr betreten.

Als Ursache des Bebens kommen Bewegungen der Kontinentalplatten Afrikas und Eurasiens in Betracht, an deren Grenze die Türkei liegt.

Türkische Experten weisen darauf hin, dass die Region Elazığ  besonders erdbebengefährdet ist. Die Bevölkerung sei auch erst vor kurzem auf dieses Risiko hingewiesen worden. An der Bauweise der Häuser habe sich jedoch nicht viel geändert. In einem Land, in dem vergleichbare Erdbeben regelmäßig stattfinden, Japan, würden durch eine angepasste Bauweise der Häuser weit weniger Schäden entstehen. Ahmet Mete Isikara, ein bekannter türkischer Erdbebenexperte, resümmiert: „Wir müssen lernen, mit Erdbeben zu leben“. Er fügte eine simple Allgemeinaussage hinzu, an der sich die Menschen orientieren sollten: „Nicht das Beben tötet - einstürzende Häuser töten.“


Un séisme secoue l'est de la Turquie

38° 51′ 07″ N 39° 56′ 56″ E / 38.852, 39.949

Publié le 8 mars 2010
La province d'Elazig, dans l'est de la Turquie, a été frappée ce matin par un séisme de magnitude 5,9 sur l'échelle du moment, à 02 h 32 UTC (04 h 32, heure locale). L'épicentre se trouve à 625 km de la capitale Ankara, selon l'USGS[1]. Le vice-premier ministre turc, Cemil Çiçek, a indiqué que 57 morts étaient à déplorer. Selon Muammer Erol, gouverneur local, « les secouristes sont parvenus à entrer dans toutes les zones sinistrées. Je ne m'attend pas à ce que le bilan augmente davantage ».

Les équipes de secours cherchent des survivants dans les décombres. De nombreuses maisons se sont effondrées ; les habitations des villages touchés sont construites en pisé, peu résistant aux secousses.

Près de 20 répliques ont été enregistrées. En Turquie, les tremblements de terre sont fréquents, le pays est en effet traversé par plusieurs failles sismiques.


6.1 magnitude aftershock earthquake hits Haiti

A strong earthquake has once again struck Haiti, eight days after a 7.0 magnitude quake left much of the nation in ruins.

The US Geological Survey said the latest tremor had a magnitude of 6.1 and was centered 59 kilometres from the capital Port-au-Prince, which was devastated by the initial quake. It occurred at 06.03 local time (11.03 UTC). There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries from the aftershock, which comes as an international aid effort is underway to help those affected by last week's powerful earthquake.

"People are still very traumatised here," said a reporter for the Al Jazeera news agency who was in Haiti when the aftershock struck. "It's 6.30 in the morning, but people have taken to the streets with whatever belongings they have. A lot of buildings did not collapse in the quake [a week ago] but they have cracks. We do not have any reports of damage yet."

Officials estimate the initial earthquake killed about 200,000 people and affected three million — about a third of Haiti's population.  Haitian authorities said 75,000 have been buried in mass graves.

Survivors have been living in makeshift camps on streets littered with debris and decomposing bodies. Doctors meanwhile are struggling to treat thousands of injured with limited resources.


Nuevo sismo de 6,1 grados en Haití atemoriza a la población

Un nuevo sismo se registró en Haití, con magnitud de 6,1 grados en la escala de Richter, provocando pánico en la población que sufre los efectos devastadores del movimiento telúrico del pasado 12 de enero. El fenómeno ocurrió a las 6:03 de la mañana, hora local, con epicentro a 60 kilómetros de la capital, Puerto Príncipe.

El epicentro se registró a cinco kilómetros de la ciudad occidental de Jacmel, también afectada por el sismo del 12 de enero. Agencias de noticias reportaron que los haitianos de Puerto Príncipe vivieron momentos de pánico ante la posibilidad de que se agravaran los efectos de una de las mayores catástrofes registradas en la historia, que ha dejado según cálculos extraoficiales, 75 mil heridos, 250 mil damnificados y un país en situación de caos y devastación.

No se tiene conocimiento de víctimas de este último sismo, salvo caídas de edificios reblandecidos por el ocurrido el pasado 12 de enero. Un corresponsal de Al Jazeera informó al respecto que, a pesar de ser las 6 de la mañana, muchos haitianos permanecen en las calles por temor a que sus casas, agrietas desde el 12 de enero, puedan colapsar.


Haiti'de 6.1 şiddetinde deprem

Haiti'de 7.0 şiddetliğindeki depremden 8 gün geçtikten sonra, saat 06.03 (UTC)'de 6.1 büyüklüğünde bir deprem meydana geldi. Bu deprem Haiti'de yeniden paniğe neden oldu. Deprem Port-au-Prince'in 56 kilometre kuzeybatısında meydana geldi. Depremin merkez üssünün yerin 22 kilometre altında olduğu belirtildi. Amerika Birleşik Devletleri Savunma Bakanı Robert Gates ise Geçen hafta meydana gelen 7.0 şiddetinde deprem, 200.000 kişinin ölümüne sebep olduğu, bundan dolayı da gemilerle daha çok yardım yapılacağını belirtti. Yapılan açıklamada bu gemilerin hayati malzemeler içeren 1.000 yataklı olacak şekilde donatılıp gönderileceği de belirtildi. Depremde yaklaşık 200.000 kişinin öldüğü, 250.000'den fazla kişinin yaralandığının 1.500.000 kadar kişinin de etkilendiği belirtiliyor.


6.2 Magnitude Earthquake hits central Italy

At 3:36am this morning, local time a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck about 10 kilometres southeast of Norcia, Italy. The quake hit at a depth of 10 kilometres, and was felt all the way to Rome, about 100 miles (150 km) away from the town of Norcia.

120 or more people are dead, officials have said, including children, and around 100 people are reported missing. The death toll has risen over the course of the day, and is expected to rise further as scores of people remain unaccounted for. The 6.2 magnitude quake has effected the central towns of Norcia, Pescara del Tronto, Accumoli and Amatrice. Sergio Pirozzi, Amatrice's mayor, remarked, "Half the town no longer exists", as most of it has been reduced to rubble. Mayor Pirozzi went on to say rescue teams were digging with the "[hope] that most people were alive."

After hearing about the devastating effects of the earthquake, Pope Francis postponed a weekly address on religious teachings, instead dedicating a prayer session in Saint Peter's Square for those affected by the disaster. "[L]earning that there are children among the victims, I am deeply saddened," Pope Francis told his public.

Authorities have compared today's earthquake in central Italy to the 2009 earthquake that killed over 300 people in Abruzzo, Italy. Italy's Civil Protection agency characterized  the earthquake as "severe".


زلزال يضرب وسط إيطاليا

ضرب زلزال وسط إيطاليا 2016 هو على الساعة 3:36 بالتوقيت المحلي (01:36 توقيت غرينيتش) بالقرب من نورتشا 76 كم جنوب بيروجيا.[1]

الأربعاء 24 أغسطس 2016


Catégorie:Séisme de 2016 en Italie centrale

Séisme de 2016 en Italie centrale. Séisme de magnitude 6,1 ou 6,2 en août 2016

Actualiser la page pour voir les derniers articles.

Wikinews, La source d'informations que vous pouvez écrire

Illustration

Localisation Séisme de 2016 en Italie centrale.


Categoria:Terremoto nel Centro Italia del 2016

Questa categoria raccoglie tutti gli articoli che parlano del Terremoto nel Centro Italia del 2016.


6.2 magnitude earthquake hits northern Chile

A strong earthquake struck the Atacama Region in Chile at 11:52 (14:52 UTC), provoking widespread hysteria. The United States Geological Survey reported that the tremor reached a magnitude of 6.2. The epicentre is located on the mainland 76 kilometers south of Copiapó and at a depth of 59 kilometers. However, the University of Chile Geological Survey reported that the seism reached a magnitude of 5.9.

Thousands of inhabitants of Copiapó ran evacuation plans in offices and schools.  The seism set off many alarms in cars and enterprises, according to radio stations.  Parents went to take their children out of the schools.  It was reported earlier that cornices fell down from buildings, businesses lost merchandise and cellphone networks encountered problems in the area.

The ONEMI reported no damages or injuries, but some roads collapsed. Power and water distribution were not affected. Eva Cansino, ONEMI boss, told TVN that the citizens' reactions demonstrated particular sensitivity to seisms, and she pointed out that it helps to minimize the risks in similar situations. She added that this seism was not an aftershock of the February 27 Maule or March 11 Pichilemu earthquakes, which destroyed many places in the central and south areas of Chile.

Santiago felt the earthquake to a lesser degree. The earthquake was felt between the Antofagasta and O'Higgins regions.

ONEMI also reported the intensities of the seism in three regions according to the Mercalli scale:

Joaziel Jamett, from ONEMI, reported that the tsunami alert was discarded in the coast of the Atacama Region, at the 12:45 local time (15:45 UTC). "SHOA (Servicio Hidrográfico y Oceanográfico de la Armada de Chile / Chilean Army Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey) has discarded any tsunami in the Atacama Region, therefore we have to keep the people quiet", reported Jamett to Bío Bío Radio.

Today marks one month from the earthquake and tsunami combo that hit the most of Chile central and south part. This is the second seism that has occurred in the north of Chile in the last few weeks, after the 6.3 on March 4.

Almost ten minutes before this earthquake, at 11:39:08 (14:39 UTC), another March 11 earthquake aftershock was felt between the O'Higgins and Bíobío regions. It reached 4.3 grades, and had a depth of 32.4 kilometers. The epicentre was located 16 kilometers at the southeast of Pichilemu. It lasted about 15 seconds. Another aftershock occurred at the 13:14 (16:14 UTC), reached 3.7 grades, had a depth of 10.8 kilometers, and the epicentre was located 12 kilometers at the east of Pichilemu. It lasted about 5 seconds.


Чили земетресение oт магнитуд 6.2

В Oбласт Атакама бе регистриранo нoвo земетресение в 11:52 (14:52 УВ) дoведе дo oтчаяние и паника жителите на Чили. Епицентарът е на 75 км южнo oт Капиапo на 59 км. дълбочина.  Спoред Университетът в Чили за Геологични бедствия сеизмът е бил с магнитуд 5.9.
ONEMI Нациналния Център при Бедствия към  Министерствотo на Вътрешните рабoти съoбщава   за силата на земетресениетo пo скалата на  Меркали в oще три oбласти:

Антoфагаста: Талтал – 3 степен.

Атакама: Кoпиапo и Тиера Амарйя VI степен;  Вайенар – V степен; Калдера ІV степен.

Кoкимбo: Ла Серена V степен; Камбарбала и Риo Хуртада ІV степен; Oвале – ІІІ степен; Пунитаки ІІ степен.

Събота 26 март, 2010 г.


Un séisme de magnitude 6,2 secoue à nouveau le Chili

Un séisme de magnitude 6,2 sur l'échelle du moment a frappé, hier, le nord du Chili, à 11 h 52, heure locale (14 h 52 UTC), selon l'USGS[1]. L'épicentre, situé près de Copiago, à 600 km de la capitale, Santiago, se trouvait à 35 kilomètres de profondeur. L'office national des urgences a annoncé qu'aucune victime ou dégât n'étaient à déplorer.

Le 27 février dernier, un séisme de magnitude 8,8 sur l'échelle du moment avait causé d'importants dégâts dans le pays ; les bulletins officiels les plus récents font état d'au moins 342 morts.


6.3 magnitude quake strikes Papua New Guinea

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Papua New Guinea at 9:15 AM local time on Sunday morning (23:15 Saturday UTC). The epicentre was 30 kilometers east of Lae, and 300 kilometers north of Port Moresby the capital of Papua New Guinea. The quake had a depth of 66.2 kilometers (41.1 miles).

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii has not issued any alerts related to the quake, and so far no injuries have been reported. Papua New Guinea National Disaster Centre officials in Lae told Reuters that while they were unaware of any buildings collapsing, the people of Lae did feel the quake.

Papua New Guinea is commonly hit by volcanic activity, earthquakes and tidal waves. Almost 3 years ago to this date, an earthquake with the same magnitude hit the area. On that occurrence no casualties were reported either.


Enyhe földrengés rázta meg Pápua Új-Guineát

Bár a felszabadult energia alapján a földmozgás elérte a 6,3-as erősséget – hasonlóan a hétfői spanyol rengéshez –, mindez elég nagy mélységben történt ahhoz, hogy a felszínen alig legyen érezhető. Az epicentrum 66,2 kilométer mélyen, Lae városától keletre 30, a főváros Port Moresbytől északra 300 kilométernyire volt. A rengés helyi idő szerint ma 9:15-kor[1] pattant ki. Épületkárokról, személyi sérülésről nem érkezett jelentés; cunamiveszélytől nem kell tartani.

Az ország Új-Guinea szigetének keleti részét foglalja el, amely tektonikus lemezhatáron húzódik. Pápua Új-Guineában ezért egyáltalán nem szokatlan az ezzel járó nagy vulkáni aktivitás, illetve a gyakori földmozgások és szökőárak.


Papua Yeni Gine'de 6.3 büyüklüğünde deprem

Papua Yeni Gine'de yerel saatle sabah saat 9:15'te (23:15 UTC) 6.3 büyüklüğünde bir deprem meydana geldi. Depremin merkezi Lae'nin 30 kilometre doğusunda ve başkent Port Moresby'nin 300 kilometre kuzeyindeydi. Derinliği 66.2 kilometreydi.

Pasifik Tsunami Uyarı Merkezi depremle ilgili herhangi bir uyarı yapmadı. Papua Yeni Gine Ulusal Felaket Merkezi'nden yetkililer herhangi bir binanın zarar görmediğini; fakat depremin Lae'deki insanlar tarafından hissedildiğini söyledi.


6.4 earthquake shakes Indonesia

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) a magnitude 6.1 earthquake has struck Sumatra, Indonesia. The meteorological agency of Indonesia put the magnitude at 6.4.

The epicenter was located 190 kilometers (115 miles) northwest of Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia at 2:27 p.m. (local time) and had a depth of 35 k.m. (21.7 miles). A small magnitude 5.1 aftershock shook the same area just over two hours later.

There are no reports of damage, injuries or death, but the USGS says that damage could be "moderate to heavy."

No tsunami warning was issued.

Last week, a magnitude 8.4 quake struck the same region killing at least 23 people and injuring over 100. That quake was followed by as many as 60 aftershocks for at least a week, with some ranging as high as magnitude 7.8.


Terremoto de 6,4 grados sacude Indonesia

19 de septiembre de 2007Sumatra, Indonesia —

De acuerdo al United States Geological Survey (USGS), un terremoto de magnitud 6,1 sacudió Sumatra, Indonesia. La agencia meteorológica de Indonesia dijo que la magnitud es de 6,4.

El epicentro se localizó a 190 kilómetros (115 millas) al noroeste de Bengkulu, Sumatra, a las 2:27 p.m. (hora local) con una profunidad de 35 km (21,7 millas). Una réplica de 5,1 grados se pudo sentir luego de dos horas.

No se han reportado daños, heridos o muertos, pero el USGS dice que el daño podría ser de "moderado a alto".

No se ha declarado ninguna alerta de tsunami.

La semana pasada, un terremoto de 8,4 grados sacudió la misma región matando a 23 personas e hiriendo sobre 100. Ese terremoto fue seguido por al menos 60 réplicas durante una semana, algunos siendo de hasta 7,8 grados.


6.4 magnitude earthquake hits Chile

Another earthquake hit Chile on late Monday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has reported. It occurred at 19:09:43 local time (23:09:43 UTC). The epicenter was located 110 kilometers northwest of Temuco; 132 kilometers southwest of Concepción; 203 kilometers north of Valdivia and 558 kilometers southwest of Santiago.

The USGS later determined that the earthquake had a depth of 20.6 kilometers, and the epicenter was located 55 kilometers to the south of Lebu.

The University of Chile Geological Survey reported that the earthquake took place 71 kilometers at the west of Tirúa in the Bío Bío Region and had a depth of 22.9 kilometers.

Wikinews's Diego Grez reported that the earthquake was clearly felt in Pichilemu, almost 300 kilometers to the north of the epicenter. ONEMI reported no casualties. The area is being monitored by the organization. It has been reported that some telephone lines have collapsed after the earthquake. More than two months after the major 8.8 earthquake, many people continue to live in tents or temporary huts.


Un cutremur cu magnitudinea de 6,2 grade a lovit Chile

Un alt cutremur a lovit Chile luni seara, a raportat United States Geological Survey. Acesta a avut loc la 19:09:43 ora locală (23:09:43 UTC). Epicentrul a fost situat la 10 kilometrii nord-vest de Temuco; 132 de kilometrii sud-vest de Concepción; 203 de kilometrii de Valdivia și 558 de kilometrii sud-vest de Santiago.

USGS mai târziu stabilit că cutremurul a avut o adâncime de 20,6 kilometri, iar epicentrul a fost localizat la 55 km sud de Lebu.

Universitatea din Chile a raportat că cutremurul a avut loc la 71 de kilometrii vest de Tirúa în Regiunea Bíobío și a avut o adâncime de 22,9 kilometrii.


6.4 magnitude earthquake hits Iran

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 hit Iran yesterday. The earthquake was centered around the southeastern town of Zarand, about 440 miles away from the capital, Tehran. Early reports indicate at least 40 villages with a combined population of 30,000 people have been damaged, with 420 deaths and slightly less than a thousand injured.

Earthquakes are nothing new to Iran, with one in the nearby desert city of Bam killing 31,000 people in December 2003. Heavy rain and bad visibility have made early relief efforts difficult; despite this some 1,500 members of the Iranian Red Crescent have begun organising camps for the newly homeless.


Terremoto sacude sudeste de Irán

23 de febrero de 2005Zarand, Irán —

Un fuerte sismo de 6,4 grados de magnitud en la escala de Richter sacudió a las 5:55 de la mañana (hora local, 2:25 GMT), a la región de Zarand, más precisamente en la provincia de Kerman, en el sudeste de Irán. Las autoridades informaron que unos 40 poblados con más de 30.000 habitantes sufrieron el terremoto. La aldea de Sarbagh fue una de las más afectadas, en ella se destruyeron más del 80% de las viviendas.

Hasta el momento el conteo de víctima indica que son 515 las fatales y unas 1.400 heridas, aunque se espera que este número se incremente notablemente ya que los socorristas siguen buscando personas entre los escombros de las humildes viviendas del lugar, construidas en su mayoría con barro y paja. La situación se ve agravada por el mal tiempo que afecta la región con lluvias durante el día y nevadas por la noche.

Los expertos de la Media Luna Roja se encuentran trabajando en el lugar para asistir a las víctimas, y han informado a la comunidad internacional que de momento no necesitan ayuda. Según el ministro de Interior iraní, Abdolhavid Musavi Lari, los daños se han estimado en unos 60 millones de euros.

Cabe recordar que la zona fue afectada en diciembre de 2003 por otro movimiento telúrico que dejó un saldo de 26.000 muertos y desapareció de la Tierra la histórica ciudad de Bam.


6.4 magnitude earthquake rocks Andaman Islands

A 6.4 moment magnitude earthquake has hit near the Andaman Islands, Bay of the Bengal, India, on Tuesday at 1:21:48 AM local time (Monday 19:51:48 UTC), USGS has reported.

The earthquake had a depth of 127.7 kilometers (79.4 miles). The epicenter was located 120 kilometers southeast of Port Blair, Andaman Islands; 350 kilometers north of Mohean, Nicobar Islands; 795 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, Thailand and 2580 kilometers southeast of New Delhi, India.

No casualties or damage have been reported. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said there was a "very small possibility of a local tsunami near the centre" but no possibility of a destructive, widespread tsunami.


அந்தமான் தீவுகளில் 6.4 அளவு நிலநடுக்கம் தாக்கியது

இந்தியாவின் வங்காள விரிகுடாவில் அமைந்துள்ள அந்தமான் தீவுகளில் இன்று செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை உள்ளூர் நேரப்படி அதிகாலை 1:21:48 (திங்கள் 19:51:48 UTC), நேரத்தில் 6.4 அளவு நிலநடுக்கம் தாக்கியுள்ளதாக ஐக்கிய அமெரிக்க நிலவியல் ஆய்வு நிலையம் (USGS) அறிவித்துள்ளது.

127.7 கிலோமீட்டர்கள் (79.4 ஆழத்தில்) இடம்பெற்றுள்ள இந்த நிலநடுக்கம் அந்தமான் தீவுகளில் போர்ட் பிளையர் நகரில் இருந்து தென்கிழக்கே 120 கிலோமீட்டர் தூரத்திலும், நிக்கோபார் தீவுகளில் வடக்கே மோகியன் நகரில் இருந்து 350 கிமீ தூரத்திலும், பாங்கொகொக்கில் இருந்து தென்மேற்கே 795 கிமீ தூரத்திலும் மையம் கொண்டிருந்தது.

இறப்புகள் அல்லது சேதம் எதுவும் அறிவிக்கப்படவில்லை. உள்ளூர் பகுதியில் மிகச் சிறிய அளவு ஆழிப்பேரலை இடம்பெறுவதற்கு சாத்தியங்கள் இருப்பதாக ஹவாயில் உள்ள பசிபிக் சுனாமி எச்சரிக்கை மையம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது. ஆனாலும் பெரிய அளவில் சேதத்தை ஏற்படுத்தக்கூடிய அளவு சுனாமி இடம்பெறமாட்டாது.

செவ்வாய், சூன் 1, 2010


6.5 magnitude earthquake hits off coast of Taiwan

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake has struck off the southeastcoast of Taiwan earlier today, the US Geological Survey reports.

The quake's depth was at ten kilometres (6.2 miles), which is considered relatively shallow. The epicentre was 269 kilometres (167 miles) east of T'ai-tung, Taiwan. It struck at 10:59:50 local time, or 02:59:50 UTC.

The Taiwanese Central Weather Bureau said no tsunami warning was issued over the temblor; the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also said there is no threat of a Pacific-wide tsunami. According to the Associated Press, some buildings in the capital Taipei swayed for about twenty seconds, although there were no any immediate reports of damage, injuries, or deaths.

Earthquakes occur frequently in Taiwan as the area lies on a seismically active area, although they generally do not cause much damage because they are small.


தைவான் கடற்பகுதியில் 6.9 அளவு நிலநடுக்கம்

தைவானின் தென்கிழக்குக்கரைக் கடற்பகுதியில் இன்று காலை 6.9 அளவு நிலநடுக்கம் ஏற்பட்டதாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

10 கிலோமீட்டர் (6.2 மைல்) ஆழத்தில் இந்த நிலநடுக்கம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. தைவானின் தாய்-துங் என்ற இடத்தில் இருந்து 269 கிமீ (167 மைல்) கிழக்கே இது மையம் கொண்டிருந்தது. உள்ளூர் நேரப்படி 10:59:50 மணிக்கு (02:59:50 UTC) நிலநடுக்கம் இடம்பெற்றுள்ளது.

சுனாமி எச்சரிக்க எதுவும் விடுக்கப்படவில்லை என தைவானின் நடுவண் காலநிலை மையம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது. பசிபிக் பகுதிகளிலும் சுனாமி எச்சரிக்க விடுக்கப்படவில்லை என பசிப்க் சுனாமி எச்சரிக்கை மையம் அறிவித்துள்ளது.

நிலநடுக்கத்தின் தாக்கத்தினால் தலைநகர் தாய்பெய் நகரில் சில கட்டடங்களில் நிலஅதிர்வு உணரப்பட்டதாகவும், ஆனாலும் எவ்வித சேதமோ அல்லது உயிரிழப்புகளோ அறிவிக்கப்படவில்லை.

திங்கள், ஏப்ரல் 26, 2010


6.7 magnitude quake shakes Hawaii

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake shook the Hawaiian islands at 17:07:49 UTC (07:07:49 local time) October 15, 2006. The quake, centered approximately 6 miles southwest of Puakō on the west side of Hawai`i Island (the Big Island), was felt throughout the entire state, causing a statewide power outage.

No tsunami warning was issued as a result of the quake; however, a tsunami measuring around 0.1 meters (four inches) was recorded. There were 50 aftershocks reported after the quake, the strongest being a 5.8 tremor reported at about 17:14 UTC (7:14 a.m. local time).

There were no fatalities reported and only scattered reports of minor injuries.

Electric power was lost statewide shortly after the quake.  As of about 8:00 p.m. HST, power was restored to all the neighbor islands, but Hawaiian Electric personnel still had work to go on Oahu, the island with the highest population.  Power was eventually restored to most areas of Oahu by midnight.

Structural damage occurred at Kona Hospital, where ceiling tiles fell and electricity was lost, forcing an evacuation of patients to Hilo Medical Center on the other side of the island.  Damage was also reported at the Honokaa Long-term Care Facility and the Royal Kona Resort.

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, who was in Kona at the time of the earthquake, issued an emergency declaration for the entire state of Hawaii at about 11:00 a.m. local time (2300 UTC Sunday).

Air service in Hawaii was temporarily suspended shortly after the quake as airports were forced to operate on emergency power.  The power outage caused delays to incoming and outgoing flights, as TSA agents had to conduct manual searches of all bags.  Airlines have canceled numerous flights scheduled to depart Honolulu International Airport Sunday evening.

Communication links are problematic.  Most radio stations lost power and stopped broadcasting immediately after the quake. (Metroblogging Hawaii) Honolulu radio station KSSK, operating on emergency generators, became a central information source for Oahu residents. A landslide has blocked at least one major highway from a section of a cliff at Kealakekua Bay.

USGS Volcano Observatory equipment has not been significantly damaged. Monitoring stations report "no significant changes in the past 24 hours" of the eruption of the Kīlauea volcano.

According to USGS records, this earthquake is the fourth largest Hawaiian earthquake in the last 100 years. Previous earthquakes include a magnitude 7.2 quake in 1975, a magnitude 6.9 quake in 1951, and a magnitude 6.8 quake in 1938.  The last magnitude 6.7 quake was in 1983.

Copyrighted Flickr images:


Schwere Erdbeben auf Hawaii

Hawaii (Vereinigte Staaten), 16.10.2006 – Am Sonntag, den 15. Oktober erschütterte um 07:07 Uhr Ortszeit ein schweres Erdbeben der Stärke 6,6 auf der Richterskala die Inselgruppe von Hawaii. Laut dem Geologischen Dienst der USA lag das Epizentrum 15 Kilometer nordöstlich von Kailua-Kona auf der Hauptinsel Hawaii. Kurze Zeit später gab es ein weiteres Erdbeben, das mit einer Stärke von 5,8 nur wenig schwächer war.

Nach letzten Information kamen „wie durch ein Wunder“ keine Personen zu Schaden. Große Teile der Infrastruktur sind aber lahmgelegt, und der Flughafen ist gesperrt. Die Gouverneurin der Inselgruppe, Linda Lingle, erklärte den Notstand. Eine Gefahr durch Tsunamis bestehe aber nicht, so die Politikerin weiter.


ハワイ島近海でM6.6の地震

AP通信によると、アメリカハワイ州のハワイ島西部にあるカイルア・コナの街から北北西に約16kmの沖合いを震源地にしたマグニチュード6.6の地震が15日午前7時7分（UTC-10、日本時間16日午前2時7分）ごろ発生した。その後も余震が続き、建物の崩壊や、道路の切断などが報告されているほか、都市ガス漏れによる火災も発生し、ハワイ諸島では広範囲で停電が起きた。死傷者が出ているとの情報はないが、情報網が絶たれている地域もあり、実態はまだ明らかではない。

ホノルル到着予定の航空便は到着が許されているが、出発便は停電のため保安検査機器の使用が制限されていることもあり、遅れが出た。朝日新聞によれば、午後5時までに復旧した。

リンダ・リングル州知事は、地震発生4時間後にハワイ州全域の非常事態宣言を発した。


Hawaï getroffen door zware aardbeving

Hawaï is getroffen door een zware aardbeving met een kracht van 6.6 op de schaal van Richter. De beving werd gevolgd door zeker 22 lichte en krachtige naschokken.

Volgens de eerste berichten is er een onbekend aantal gewonden en is de stroom op heel het eiland uitgevallen. Door de stroomuitval is nog veel onduidelijk over schade en slachtoffers.

Het Kona-ziekenhuis is zwaar getroffen en het gebouw is geëvacueerd. Patiënten zijn vervoerd naar Yano Hall. Ook het Honokaa Langdurige Verzorgings Instituut en de Royal Kona, een plaats waar veel toeristen komen, is zwaar getroffen en ook zij worden geëvacueerd. Het Kohala-ziekenhuis heeft schade aan het dak en patiënten worden naar de eetkamer gebracht.


6.9 magnitude earthquake hits western China

At least 400 people have been killed and a further 10,000 injured by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake and its aftershocks which struck remote and mountainous Yushu county, in the south of Qinghai province in the west of China.

An official for the town of Jiegu (Gyêgu), the county seat, which was one of the worst-hit locations, said that "the death toll will definitely go up."

The USGS reports the tremors started at 07.49 local time (23.49 UTC). The epicentre was 240 kilometres north-northwest of Qamdo, Xizang, and 375 kilometres south-southeast of Golmud, Qinhai, at a depth of ten kilometres. The China Earthquake Networks Center, however, conflicted the USGS statistics, putting the earthquake's magnitude at 7.1.
A local official, Huang Limin was quoted by the Chinese Xinhua news service as saying: "Soldiers have been dispatched to save the people buried in the collapsed houses." Authorities have ordered supplies to be moved to the area, but Yushu is hundreds of miles away from any airport, according to the BBC.

The USGS also reported there was a 5.8 magnitude aftershock hit the same area about an hour and a half later, at 09.25 local time (01.25 UTC).

The head of news for the Yushu county television station, who was a witness to the quake, spoke to the state broadcaster CCTV about the incident, saying "In a flash, the houses went down. It was a terrible earthquake. In a small park, there is a Buddhist tower and the top of the tower fell off." He said that residents fled after the tremors began.

"Everybody is out on the streets, standing in front of their houses, trying to find their family members," he added.

Another official commented that around 85% of the buildings in the town of Jiegu, located close to the quake's epicentre, were destroyed, saying that "the streets in Jiegu are thronged with panic - injured people, with many bleeding in the head.

"Many students are buried under the debris due to building collapse at a vocational school. I can see injured people everywhere. The biggest problem now is that we lack tents, we lack medical equipment, medicine and medical workers."

The plateau where the earthquake hit is frequently visited by tremors; however, there are rarely many casualties due to its remoteness and small population. However, in May 2008 a heavy 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Sichuan foothills, killing 80,000 people.


Разрушително Земетресение в Китай


Starkes Erdbeben in Chinas Provinz Qinghai fordert viele Menschenleben

Xining (China) / Denver (Vereinigte Staaten), 15.04.2010 – Mehrere hundert Menschenleben und tausende Verletzte forderte ein Erdbeben in der chinesischen Provinz Qinghai, dessen Intensität vom United States Geological Survey mit 6,9 Mw angegeben wurde. Die chinesischen Seismologen, die nicht die Momenten-Magnituden-Skala anwenden, bewerteten die Stärke mit 7,1 auf der Richterskala. Die betroffene Region gehört geographisch zum dünnbesiedelten Hochland von Tibet.

Das Erdbeben ereignete sich um 7:49:37 Uhr Ortszeit (23:49:37 Uhr UTC). Das Hypozentrum des Bebens lag 240 Kilometer nordnordwestlich der Stadt Qamdo und 1905 Kilometer west-südwestlich von Peking in etwa zehn Kilometer Tiefe. Es hat seine Ursache in der Plattentektonik mehrerer Kontinentalplatten. Hier drückt die Indische Platte auf die Eurasische Platte, welche starke geologische Aktivitäten hervorrief und für das Wachsen des Himalaya verantwortlich gemacht wird. Es gab mehrere Nachbeben, deren stärkstes bislang eine Magnitude von 6,2 Mw erreichte.

Besonders betroffen ist der Bezirk Yushu. Hier suchen Soldaten nach Verschütteten, weswegen mit einem Ansteigen der Opferzahlen gerechnet wird. Ein Funktionär schilderte vor Ort seine Eindrücke und berichtete, dass „fast alle Häuser“ nach dem Erdbeben eingestürzt seien. Nach Berichten von Behörden, Augenzeugen und lokalen Medien sind viele Menschen eingeschlossen, auch Schüler sollen verschüttet worden sein. Hoffnung sehen einem Bericht der Tagesthemen zufolge Experten, weíl zum Einen der Zeitpunkt des Bebens recht früh gewesen sei und viele im Schlaf vom Beben überrascht wurden, zum Anderen zwar die aus Lehm gebauten Häuser recht zahlreich einstürzten, die Verletzungen der Betroffenen aber nicht so schwer ausfallen wie bei herkömmlichen Gebäuden. In einer Schule in Yushu erfüllten sich diese Hoffnungen bislang nicht: 20 Leichen haben die Helfer bereits geborgen, weitere 20 Opfer liegen vermutlich noch unter den Trümmern begraben.

Bislang haben Hilfskräfte rund 1000 Menschen aus zusammengestürzten Bauten lebend gerettet. Die Nachrichtenagentur Xinhua meldete am 15. April, dass bis zu dem Zeitpunkt 617 Tote geborgen und 9110 Personen verletzt wurden, weitere 313 würden noch vermisst. Schwierigkeiten machen den Helfern die dünne Luft in der Erdbebenregion, die 4000 m über dem Meeresspiegel liegt, die niedrigen Temperaturen und heftiger Wind. 15.000 Häuser wurden zerstört, mehr als 100.000 Menschen mussten die Nacht bei Frost im Freien verbringen. Die Regierung lässt Zelte und Decken einfliegen, doch viele Straßen in der Umgebung des Flughafens der Stadt Yushu sind von Erdrutschen verschüttet und deswegen nicht passierbar.

Die japanische Regierung hat China Hilfe angeboten. Diese sei jedoch im Moment nicht erforderlich, lautete die Antwort aus Peking. In der benachbarten Provinz Sichuan starben im Mai 2008 rund 87.000 Menschen durch ein Erbeben. Damals hatte China ausländische Hilfe in Anspruch genommen.


Terremoto de 6,9 grados Richter golpea a la provincia china de Qinghai, dejando al menos 400 fallecidos

Al menos cuatrocientas personas fallecieron y otras 10,000 resultaron heridas por un terremoto de magnitud 7,1 y sus posteriores réplicas que azotaron al condado de Yushu, en las remotas y montañosas áreas al sur de la provincia de Qinghai, en el oeste de China.

Un funcionario de la ciudad de Gyêgu, que fue uno de los lugares más afectados, dijo que "definitivamente el número de muertos aumentará."

El Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos informo que el temblor comenzó a las 07,49 hora local (23:49 UTC). El epicentro se situó a 240 kilómetros al norte-noroeste de Qamdo, Xizang, y 375 kilómetros al sur-sureste de Golmud, Qinghai, con una profundidad de diez kilómetros. El centro de terremotos de China, sin embargo, contradice las estadísticas del USGS, poniendo la magnitud del terremoto en 7,1.

El Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos también informó que hubo una réplica de 5,8 grados de magnitud que sacudió la misma zona alrededor de una hora y media más tarde, a las 09,25 hora local (01:25 UTC).

El director de noticias de la estación de televisión Yushu del condado, que fue testigo del terremoto, se refirió a la cadena estatal CCTV sobre el incidente, diciendo que "En un instante, las casas se vinieron abajo. Fue un terrible terremoto. En un pequeño parque, hay una torre budista y la parte superior de la torre se cayó." Dijo que los residentes huyeron después de que los temblores comenzaron.

"Todo el mundo está en la calle, de pie en frente de sus casas, tratando de encontrar a sus familiares".

La meseta donde se produjo el terremoto, es comúnmente asechada por temblores, sin embargo, rara vez hay muchas bajas debido a su lejanía y poca población. Sin embargo, en mayo de 2008 un terremoto de 8,0 grados de magnitud se suscitó cerca de Sichuan y mató a 80.000 personas.


6,9-es erősségű földrengés pusztított a kínai Csinghaj tartományban

Földrengéssorozat rázta meg a kínai Csinghaj (más átírásban: Qinghai) tartományt ma kora reggel - jelentette az Amerikai Földtani Intézet (USGS). Reggel 67 ember haláláról számolt be a Xinhua hírügynökség, a CEA forrásait idézve, de a délelőtti órákban már 300-, délután 400 halottról adtak hírt.

Sok embert temettek maguk alá az összedőlő épületek. A kínai katonaság illetékesei azt nyilatkozták a Xinhua hírügynökségnek, hogy további halottakra lehet még számítani a körzetben. A hadsereg sátrakat állított fel a sérültek ellátására.

A 6,9-es erősségű rengés 7:49-kor pattant ki; az epicentrum egy távoli, hegyvidéki területen volt, 240 kilométerre észak-nyugatra a tibeti Csamdótól (más átírásban: Qamdo) -tól. Eddig két utórezgést regisztráltak, egy 5,2-es és 5,3-as erősségűt. A jelentések szerint Jüsu (Yushu) – túlnyomórészt tibetiek által lakott – városában is komoly károk keletkeztek, a híradások halálos áldozatokról is beszámoltak.

Karsum Nyima, a helyi Yushu televíziótól azt mondta a Xinhua hírügynökségnek, hogy a legtöbb épület a környéken fából készült kőfalakkal. Néhány bedőlt, beleértve egy buddhista pagodát egy parkban.

Jelenleg 1484 halottról tudni. A tibeti papok elkezdték a tibetiek hamvasztását. Tibetben a halotti szertartás során feldarabolják a halottat, majd azt egy emelvényen hagyják, hogy a keselyűk falják fel. De egy pap, Zewang Jimei azt mondta, hogy a halottak száma miatt ez lehetetlen. Nem tudjuk elhamvasztani az összes halott tibetit. Nincs elég önkéntes az összes tetemhez, ezért koszosak lesznek, ami nem jó a lelkeknek, hogy békét találjanak. Ezért azt gondoljuk, hogy a tömeges hamvasztás a legmegfelelőbb temetés a földrengés áldozatainak. [1]

2008-ban 70 000 ember halt meg egy 7,9-es erősségű földrengésben, ami Szecsuán tartományt súlytotta.


சீனாவின் மேற்குப் பகுதியில் நிலநடுக்கம், நூற்றுக்கணக்கானோர் உயிரிழப்பு

சீனாவின் மேற்கில் கிங்காய் மாகாணத்தில் 6.9 அளவு கடும் நிலநடுக்கம் தாக்கியதில் நானூறுக்கும் அதிகமானோர் உயிரிழந்ததாக அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

கிங்காய் மாகாணத்தில் யூசு என்ற பகுதியில் இன்று அதிகாலை 0749 (2349 கிரீனிச் நேரம்) மணியளவில் இந்த நிலநடுக்கம் இடம்பெற்றது.

ஜீகு என்ற நகரமே கடுமையாகப் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது நகரின் 80 விழுக்காடு கட்டிடங்கள் சேதமடைந்துள்ளதாகவும் நிலச்சரிவு காரணமாக பாதைகள் மூடப்பட்டுள்ளதாகவும் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது. 80,000 மக்கள் வாழும் இந்நகரில் குறைந்தது 10,000 பேர் வரையில் காயமடைந்துள்ளதாக அரசு ஊடகமான சிசிடிவி அறிவித்தது. இறந்தோர் தொகை மேலும் அதிகரிக்கலாம் என அஞ்சப்படுகிறது.

இடிபாடுகளிடையே இருந்து நூற்றுக்கணக்கானோர் உயிருடன் மீட்கப்பட்டதாகக் காவல்துறையினர் அறிவித்தனர். நிவாரணப்பொருட்களைத் தாங்கிய இராணுவ விமானம் ஒன்று மட்டுமே உள்ளூர் விமானநிலயத்தில் தரையிறங்க முடிந்ததாக உள்ளூர் அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவிக்கின்றனர்.

இங்குள்ள அணைக்கட்டு உடையலாம் என்ற அச்சத்தினால், பல்லாயிரக்கணக்கானோர் அருகாமையில் உள்ள மலைப்பகுதிகளுக்கு இடம்பெயர்ந்துள்ளனர்.

இடிந்த பாடசாலை ஒன்றின் அடியில் பல மாணவர்கள் சிக்குண்டிருக்கலாம் என அஞ்சப்படுகிறது.

2008 ஆம் ஆண்டில் அருகில் உள்ள சிச்சுவான் மாகாணத்தில் இடம்பெற்ற நிலநடுக்கத்தில் 87,000 பேர் கொல்லப்பட்டனர்.

யூசு பிரதேசத்தில் கிட்டத்தட்ட 250,000 பேர் வாழ்கின்றனர். இவர்களில் பெரும்பான்மையோர் திபெத்தியர்கள் ஆவர்.

புதன், ஏப்ரல் 14, 2010


60 reported dead in Congo train crash

60 people are reported to have died, with several hundred more injured, after a train in Congo derailed.

The incident happened Monday night, according to the railroad company, Chemin de Fer Congo-Ocean. The incident is believed to have occurred as the train rounded a curve in a remote part of the Congo, around 37 miles (60 km) from Pointe-Noire. Four railcars are reported to have fallen into a ravine.

A spokesperson for the government, Bienvenue Okiemy, said that "excess speed" had been the cause of the derailment.

Officials said 60 bodies have been recovered, and a further 450 people are being treated for injuries at a hospital in Pointe-Noire. Okiemy commented that the death toll could still rise, "because searches and operations to lift wagons which fell into a ravine are still ongoing."

A railroad official said that "[t]he material damage was also very severe", adding that "[a]ll steps have been taken to organise relief."

The incident is the third major train crash on the line in two decades. In 1991, a passenger train collided with a freighter, killing around 100 people, and in 2001, another collision killed around 50 people.


Při vykolejení vlaku v Kongu zahynulo přes sedmdesát cestujících

V pondělí v noci došlo v republice Kongo k vykolejení vlaku. Podle zpráv zemřelo přes sedmdesát lidí a další stovky byly zraněny.

Vlak provozovaný Chemin de Fer Congo-Ocean byl na cestě z Brazzaville do Pointe-Noire a po vykolejení se čtyři vagóny zřítily do rokle. K neštěstí došlo v zatáčce ve vzdálenosti přibližně šedesát kilometrů od cílové stanice.

Mluvčí vlády označil za důvod neštěstí nepřiměřenou rychlost. Podle prvních zpráv bylo mrtvých 50 a zraněných přes čtyři sta, ale předpokládalo se, že čísla ještě vzrostou, neboť hledání mrtvých a zraněných je v rokli pod převrženými vagóny obtížně. O dva dny později již bylo napočítaných mrtvých 76 a zraněných nejméně 745.

Za posledních dvacet let se jedná už o třetí velkou nehodu na této trati. V roce 1991 zemřelo přibližně 100 lidí při srážce osobního vlaku s nákladním, v roce 2001 zemřelo při jiné srážce zhruba padesát cestujících.

Tato zpráva byla založena zčásti nebo zcela překladem zprávy 60 reported dead in Congo train crash na anglických Wikizprávách.


Fallecen más de 70 personas tras descarrilar un tren en la República del Congo

24 de junio de 2010Pointe-Noire, República del Congo —

Cientos de heridos y más de 70 personas fallecidas es el saldo del descarrilamiento de un tren.

El accidente ocurrió el lunes a la noche, de acuerdo a lo informado por la compañía de ferrocarriles Chemin de Fer Congo-Ocean. Se cree que el accidente sucedió cuando el tren estaba tomando una curva en una parte remota de la República del Congo, aproximadamente a unos 37Km de la ciudad de Pointe-Noire. Se reportó que cuetro vagones cayeron a un barranco.

Un portavoz del gobierno, Bienvenue Okiemy, dijo que el "exceso de velocidad" había sido la causa del descarrilamiento.

Las autoridades dijeron que han recuperado 60 cuerpos y que unas 450 personas están siendo tratadas por lesiones en un hospital en Pointe-Noire. Okiemy comentó que la cifra de muertos podría aumentar "porque las búsquedas y las operaciones para levantar los vagones que cayeron por un barranco aún están en curso".

Un funcionario del ferrocarril, dijo que "los daños materiales fueron muy graves", y agregó que "se han seguido todos los pasos para organizar el rescate."

Es el tercer mayor accidente de ferrocarril que sufre la República del Congo durante las últimas dos décadas. En 1991, un tren de pasajeros chocó con un carguero, donde fallecieron 100 personas, y en 2001, en otra colisión fallecieron otras 50.


7 killed, 50 injured in Bangladesh shopping mall fire

Seven people died and 50 others were injured during a fire at Bangladesh's largest shopping mall on Friday.

The dead include six security guards, three of whom were found in an elevator. The seventh was an employee with the mall fire fighting unit who died from injuries in the hospital.

Survivors on the rooftop were rescued by Bangladesh Air Force helicopters. Shoppers fled the mall. The 22 story Basundhara City Complex in Dhaka has more than 2,000 shops and restaurants. It is not known how many were in the mall nor the exact death count. Flames and smoke billowed from the top floors of the mall.

Fifteen fire trucks were dispatched to the fire. Due to high winds and no ladders which would reach the 18th floor, the blazing inferno took between seven to ten hours to extinguish. The fire began in the Basundhara offices on the 18th floor.


مقتل 7 أشخاص في حريق مجمع تجاري في دكا

من بين القتلى ستة من حراس الأمن، و ثلاثة منهم تم العثور عليهم في مصعد داخل المجمع التجاري. السابع كان يعمل المركز مع وحدة مكافحة الحريق الذي توفي متأثرا بجروحه في المستشفى.

من كانوا بأعلى المجمع تم إنقاذ معظهم عبر مروحيات الهيليكوبتر, و تمكن بعض التجار و المتسوقين من الفرار عبر السلالم. مجمع التسوق "22 حكاية" يحتوي على أكثر من 2000 متجر تسوق و مطعم. و بسبب صعوبة الإنقاذ لم تتوفر إلى الحين معطيات نهائية بشأن الحادثة خصوصا بشأن عدد القتلى.

تم إرسال حوالي 15 سيارة إطفاء لمكان الحادث للقيام بعملية الإنقاذ و إطقاء الحريق و بسبب أن الحريق وقع في الطوابق العليا بإن عملية إطفاء الحريق إستغرقت حوالي 10 ساعات, نذكر أخيرا أن الحريق كان قد نشب على الساعة السادسة مساءا في أحد مكاتب المجمع.


7.0 magnitude earthquake strikes off Haitian coast

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Haiti earlier today at 21:53 UTC, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, no tsunami warning was issued, contradicting some media reports that said there was one in place. The quake's magnitude was revised down from an initial report of 7.3 on the Richter scale.

"A destructive widespread tsunami threat does not exist based on historical earthquake and tsunami data," the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. "However, there is the possibility of a local tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than a 100 km [60 miles] from the earthquake epicentre."

The USGS reports that the epicentre was fifteen kilometres (ten miles) southwest of Port-au-Prince and 1,140 kilometers (708 miles) southeast of Miami, Florida, at a depth of ten kilometres.

According to USGS analyst Dale Grant, this tremor was "the largest quake recorded in this area"; the last strong quake was in 1984, and had a magnitude of 6.7, he noted.

"Everybody is just totally, totally freaked out and shaken. The sky is just gray with dust," said Henry Bahn, an official with the US Department of Agriculture who was visiting in Haiti and a witness to the incident. "I just held on and bounced across the wall. I just hear a tremendous amount of noise and shouting and screaming in the distance," he commented, as quoted by the Associated Press.

According to data from the USGS, there were thirteen aftershocks after the initial tremors, the strongest of which was 5.9 on the Richter scale; seven others measured in at 5.0 or higher – all the aftershocks were 4.0 or greater.

No deaths have yet been reported, but a hospital in Port-au-Prince was damaged, and a US government official said several houses fell into a ravine. An analyst for USGS in Colorado commented that there could be many deaths from an earthquake of this strength. "I think we are going to see substantial damage and casualties," he said.

The USGS's Mike Blanpied remarked that about three million people were impacted by the earthquake, given its location. "This quake occurred under land as opposed to off-shore, so a lot of people were directly exposed to the shaking coming off that earthquake fault, which was quite shallow," he said.

A lack of communications makes it difficult to ascertain what damage was done. US embassy personnel were "literally in the dark" due to power failures, said State Department spokesman P. J. Crowley. "They reported structures down. They reported a lot of walls down. They did see a number of bodies in the street and on the sidewalk that had been hit by debris. So clearly, there's going to be serious loss of life in this," he said, as quoted by AP. A reporter for Reuters said he had seen "dozens of dead and injured people" amidst collapsed buildings.

"We are trying to get in touch with our people on the ground but we are experiencing communication problems, which is not unusual in a disaster such as this," said United Nations spokeswoman Stephanie Bunker to Agence France-Presse.

Appeals for aid flooded in following the disaster. In a phone call to CNN, the Haitian ambassador to the US, Raymond Joseph, said: "I'm calling on all friends of Haiti and people who are listening to me to please come to our aid. Today as Haiti is going through the worst day in its history I am calling for all others who got help from us in the beginning to help in support. The only thing I can do now is pray and hope for the best."

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised that her country would also provide assistance to Haitians. "The United States is offering our full assistance to Haiti and to others in the region. We will be providing both civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance and our prayers are with the people who have suffered, their families and their loved ones."

President Barack Obama also said that the country would be "ready to assist" Haiti.


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