'Critical safety issue' with A380 engines

Australian transport investigators have announced they have identified a "critical safety issue" with engines fitted to the world's largest passenger airliner. Some Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, which power some Airbus A380 "superjumbos", may be prone to "fatigue cracking", which could lead to oil leakage and a fire.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said they think this was "central to the engine failure" which occurred on a Qantas A380 on November 4, shortly after take-off from Singapore. The airline grounded all six of its fleet of A380s so they could undergo safety checks before they were put back into service. Late last month, Qantas announced the aircraft were safe and began returning them to service.

The ATSB said the manufacturing fault with the Trent 900 engines "could lead to an elevated risk of fatigue crack initiation and growth, oil leakage and potential catastrophic engine failure from a resulting oil fire." The agency urged Rolls-Royce to "address the safety issue and take actions necessary to ensure the safety of flight operations in transport aircraft equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 series engines."

Qantas emphasised on Thursday that there was "no immediate risk to flight safety," but said they would conduct further investigations. A statement from the airline said: "Qantas currently has two A380 aircraft in operational service, following the grounding of the fleet on 4 November. Both A380 aircraft will be inspected at the Qantas Jet Base in Sydney. Inspections will commence this afternoon." Two other airlines use A380 aircraft with Trent engines, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines; Singapore Airlines said they were checking the engines of their A380s "on a daily basis". They said: "The new checks advised by the ATSB will be carried out as quickly as possible."

The incident in Singapore was embarrassing for Airbus. Aviation journalist Tom Ballantyne said the incident in Singapore was "certainly the most serious incident that the A380 has experienced since it entered operations." The A380 made its first commercial flight in 2007, and is now in service with several other airlines, including Air France and Emirates. It is the largest commercial passenger airliner in the world, with an 840-passenger maximum capacity, though Qantas' can carry 450.


Des anomalies détectées sur des turboréacteurs de l'A380 ?

Les enquêteurs de transport australiens ont annoncé avoir identifié un « problème de sécurité critique » sur certains des moteurs équipant l'Airbus A380. Certains Rolls-Royce Trent 900 pourraient être sujet à des « fissures de fatigue », pouvant conduire à une fuite d'huile et à un incendie.

Le Bureau australien de la sécurité des transports (ATSB[1]) pense que cette anomalie serait « au cœur de la panne de moteur » qui s'est produite sur un A380 de la compagnie aérienne Qantas le 4 novembre dernier, peu de temps après son décollage de l'aéroport de Singapour : un moteur avait explosé perforant l'aile, sans faire de victimes à bord ou au sol, et l'appareil avait pu regagner son aéroport de départ à la suite de l'incident. La compagnie aérienne avait cloué au sol les six A380 que compte sa flotte afin qu'ils puissent subir des contrôles de sécurité avant leur remise en service. La semaine dernière, Qantas a annoncé que les avions étaient sûrs et a recommencé à les remettre en service.

Le Bureau explique que le défaut de fabrication des moteurs Trent 900 « pourrait conduire à un risque plus élevé de l'initiation des fissures de fatigue, fuite d'huile et une potentielle défaillance catastrophique du moteur à partir du feu d'huile qui en résulte ». L'agence exhorte Rolls-Royce « d'aborder la question de sécurité et de prendre les mesures nécessaires pour assurer la sécurité des opérations de vol dans les avions de transport équipés de moteurs Trent de Rolls-Royce de la série 900 ».

La compagnie soulignait jeudi dernier qu'il n'y avait « aucun risque immédiat pour la sécurité des vols ». Deux autres compagnies aériennes utilisent des avions A380 équipés de moteurs Trent. Il s'agit de la Lufthansa et de Singapore Airlines. Cette dernière a annoncé que « les nouveaux contrôles conseillés par l'ATSB [le Bureau] seront effectués aussi rapidement que possible ».

L'incident de Singapour est embarrassant pour Airbus. Un journaliste spécialisé en aviation, Tom Ballantyne, a déclaré que l'incident de Singapour est « certainement l'incident le plus grave que l'A380 ait connu depuis son entrée en service ». Les seuls incidents ayant eu lieu sur ce réacteur s'étant exclusivement déroulés sur des appareils de la compagnie Qantas, le mauvais entretien des appareils pourrait être en cause.

L'A380 a effectué son premier vol commercial en 2007, et est désormais en service dans plusieurs compagnies aériennes, dont Air France et Emirates. Il est le plus gros avion commercial au monde, avec une capacité maximale de 840 passagers. L'incident de Singapour constitue son premier incident qualifié de « significatif » par le constructeur.


'Crown Fire' forces residents in Southern California to evacuate homes

Antelope Valley, California — A huge wildfire that has been burning in the High Desert of Southern California since 2:00 pm (2200 UTC) yesterday continues to threaten residents in the city of Palmdale in the Antelope Valley region of the Los Angeles County this afternoon. Mandatory evacuation orders have been set in place, affecting 2,000 homes.

The fire is one of three that ignited yesterday in the Mojave Desert and San Gabriel Mountains. The first was a 30-acre fire that began to the west of Lancaster in the Fairmont area. It was contained and suppressed by mid-afternoon, but the other two fires ignited while firefighters were battling the first. The second fire, the "Briggs Fire", began shortly after 2:00 pm near 8334 Soledad Canyon Road and Briggs Road, south of the freeway. It burned 500 acres south of the 14 Freeway, but the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) now has it contained, and firefighters are hopeful that it will burn itself out as it edges closer to the 160,577-acre burn area of last year's Station Fire. The third fire, the "Crown Fire", broke out at around the same time as the Briggs Fire on the northern side of the 14 Freeway near Acton. The Crown fire has so far burned 13,000 acres and has been heading north into Leona Valley and Palmdale.

Over 800 firefighters are now tackling the Crown Fire on the ground, Boeing 747 and McDonnell Douglas DC-10 fixed-wing aircraft have taken to the skies to drop Phos-Chek slurry (a red powdery fire retardant that is a mixture of mostly water and fertilizer, and doesn't evaporate) on the fire, and modified Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters known as "Firehawks" are making water-drops. As well as LACFD, firefighters from Los Angeles City Fire Department, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) are also helping to battle the fire. Weather conditions and topography have hindered their efforts, as temperatures rose to 98 degrees Fahrenheit today, with windspeeds of 25mph. Tonight, the National Weather Service predicts winds will reach as high as 50mph.

The fire burned down a Los Angeles County Sheriff Department communications tower, forcing Lancaster and Palmdale-based deputies to set up mobile operations bases and coordinate their efforts using cell phones and computers. Last night, the California Aqueduct acted as a barrier to the fire.

Residents of Leona Valley, Lake Elizabeth, Ritter Ranch, Rancho Vista, Ana Verde and Palmdale received Reverse 911 telephone calls last night alerting them of mandatory evacuations. Many of the evacuation orders were lifted this morning as the spread of the fire decreased. However, as winds picked up in the afternoon, fire embers were carried across the aqueduct and the fire is now heading towards a highly-populated area of Palmdale. Residents who were allowed back into their homes were re-evacuated to Red Cross shelters set up in local schools and parks.The fire is also threatening five high-voltage power lines that supply electricity to much of Southern California. 21 customers in the immediate vicinity have been without power since yesterday.

At 5:00 pm, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, police and fire officials held a press conference. The governor said that the fire was 20% contained and had burned 13,000 acres. It is thought that the fire began when workers in Agua Dulce caused sparks by hammering the bolts when they were removing a tire from a rim.


Un incendio forestal obligó a los residentes en California a evacuar sus casas

1 de agosto de 2010Antelope Valley, California —

Un incendio forestal declarado en el Desierto Alto del sur de California a las 2:00 pm hora local (2200 UTC) del Jueves 29 de julio, continua provocando el desalojo de los habitantes del suroeste de Palmdale, Antelope Valley, en el estado de Los Angeles. Las ordenes de desalojo afectaron 2000 hogares. Es uno de los tres focos de incendio que se declararon en el Desierto de Mojave y en las montañas San Gabriel. El que inicio la cadena de incendios fue uno de 30 acres en el oeste de Lancaster en el area de Fairmont. Fue extinguido a media tarde pero le siguieron los otros dos, uno que fue llamado "Brigs Fire", comenzo a las 2:00 pm aprox. cerca del camino Soledad Canyon al 8334 y el camino Brigs cerca de la autovía afectando 500 acres al sur de la autovía 14. Lo está controlando el departamento de bomberos de Los Angeles, los bomberos sostienen que por tener el foco cerca de un area afectada en un incendio el año pasado, este se extinguira solo. El tercer foco, "Crown Fire" se lo denominó, afecta el lado norte de la autovía 14 cerca de Acton. Se extiende a lo largo de 13000 acres hacia el norte dentro del Valle Leona y Palmdale.

Al tercer incendio lo combaten cerca de 800 bomberos, dos aviones de ala fija equipados con retardantes de fuego y helicopteros que arrojan agua. El departamento de bomberos de California está brindando apoyo. La temperatura es de 98 grados Farenheit y la velocidad del viento es de 25 mph previendose que durante la noche alcance los 50 mph.

La torre de comunicaciones del Departamento del Alguacil del Estado de Los Angeles quedo fuera de servicio por el incendio, las comunicaciones se realizan con bases moviles, telefonos celulares y computadoras. El Acueducto de California actuó como una barrera contra el fuego la última noche.

Se está utilizando el sistema "911 revertido"[† 1] para organizar el operativo de ecuación. Hubo gente autorizada a regresar a sus viviendas que debieron ser reevacuadas. El suministro de energía eléctrica está haciendo afectado por el quemado de las líneas de alto voltaje. 21 personas se quedaron sin electricidad ayer.

El gobernador Scwarzzeneger dijo en conferencia de prensa el Viernes 30, junto a especialistas de los bomberos que se dominó el 20% del incendio y se han quemado 13000 acres. Se especula que el fuego comenzo a causa de las chispas que unos obreros provocaron en la localidad de Agua Dulce martillando los pernos de una llanta de un neumático.

El estado actual del fuego esta reflejado en la siguiente pagina: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=101000290928271643997.00048c9163c27785e28e4&ll=34.567645,-118.214951&spn=0.197898,0.291824&z=11&source=embed


'Gouge' found on wing of Space Shuttle Endeavour

NASA has stated that a three inch gouge has been found in the heat shield on one of Space Shuttle Endeavour's wings. The gouge was spotted as the shuttle approached the International Space Station (ISS) and captured on camera by ISS astronauts.

According to NASA, the gouge was found on a six-inch thick tile on the starboard wing of the heat shield and that it may have been caused by ice and not foam. NASA is worried because the hole appears to be deep.

"What does this mean? I don’t know at this point. There are three prongs to our assessment, first we will conduct a thermal analysis based on the damage, check the flight history and test the area. We would never take it lightly to send astronauts to the underside of the vehicle to do anything," said the mission management team chairman, John Shannon who also said that until the damage is inspected, "it's way too early to determine whether any repairs are required."

If the damage is found to be irreversible and cannot be fixed, the crew of Endeavour would stay on the ISS. NASA says that supplies would last until a rescue mission could be launched October 8 by sending up Discovery.

During lift off of Endeavour on August 8, cameras had shown moisture which had gathered on the camera's lens, but NASA states that the object which caused the damage was not caught on camera. At least nine pieces of debris were reported to have been filmed while the shuttle took off, but NASA says that only three of those pieces of debris had a possibility of hitting the shuttle.

Astronauts are expected to use a laser that is attached to the shuttle's robotic arm to measure the exact depth and size of the gouge on Sunday. The tile could be repaired by affixing a metal plate over the tile, filling it with putty, or sealing the gouge.


Endeavour przycumował do stacji kosmicznej

Amerykański wahadłowiec Endeavour został w czasie startu trafiony kawałkami pianki izolacyjnej. Pianka będąca częścią powłoki izolacyjnej oderwała się od zewnętrznego zbiornika paliwa. Zdaniem specjalistów trafienie pianką nie spowodowało poważnych uszkodzeń. Cała powłoka została jeszcze raz zbadana przed przycumowaniem wahadłowca do Międzynarodowej Stacji Kosmicznej (ISS).

Uszkodzenie dokonane przez kawałek pianki izolacyjnej było przyczyną katastrofy promu Columbia 1 lutego 2003 roku.

Wczoraj o godz. 20.02 czasu polskiego Endeavour przycumował do ISS, jak podała NASA. Przed połączeniem promu kosmicznego przebywający na ISS astronauci sfotografowali powłokę wahadłowca. Jest to standardowa procedura od czasu katastrofy promu Columbia, spowodowanej właśnie uszkodzeniami poszycia.

Załoga Endeavoura przymocuje do stacji ważącą 2,5 tony konstrukcję kratową modułu łącznikowego ITS S5 Truss, wymieni żyroskop pomocny w określaniu położenia statku, przeładuje na stację sprzęt oraz części zamienne, a także przetestuje system, który pozwoli promowi ewentualnie pozostać dłużej na orbicie dzięki pobieraniu z ISS energii elektrycznej.

Jeżeli lot zostanie przedłużony z 11 do 14 dni, astronauci odbędą cztery zamiast planowanych jako minimum trzech spacerów kosmicznych. Pierwszy spacer czeka ich dzisiaj.

Poprzednią misję STS-113 Endeavour odbył w 2002 r. Od tego czasu przeszedł gruntowną modernizację. Jego lot jest drugim z czterech planowanych na ten rok kursów wahadłowca. W czerwcu br. na ISS poleciał prom Atlantis.


1,000,000 flee homes in California due to wildfires; over 500,000 ordered to evacuate

Reports say that the amount of people fleeing from their homes in California located in the United States due to wildfires has reached the 1,000,000 mark as the fires continue to grow. More than 500,000 people have been ordered to evacuate areas of Southern California as firefighters have began to realize that they may not be able to put all the fires out.

45 people have been injured, 21 of those being firefighters battling the blazes. At least one person was reported to have been killed earlier, but so far those reports cannot be confirmed.

"If it's this big and blowing with as much wind as it's got, it'll go all the way to the ocean before it stops ... We can save some stuff but we can't stop it," said captain of the San Diego fire department, Kirk Humphries.

Yesterday, U.S. President George W. Bush declared a state of emergency in California, clearing the way for the state to begin receiving federal aid assistance.

"All of us across this nation are concerned for the families who have lost their homes and the many families who have been evacuated from their homes. We send the help of the federal government," said Bush in a statement to the press.

The Santa Ana winds have been blowing for three days and they are not forecast to stop for the next day or so.

Close to 2,000 homes are burned to ashes and nearly 70,000 more are believed to be at a high risk of catching fire. Almost 400,000 acres of land have been scorched with 18 fires burning.


Un millón de personas escapan del fuego en California; 500.000 son ordenados que evacúen

24 de octubre de 2007Los Ángeles, California —

Reportes indican que la cantidad de personas dejando sus hogares en California, Estados Unidos, ha alcanzado el millón mientras las llamas siguen creciendo y devorando casas y vegetación. Más de 500.000 personas han sido ordenadas que evacúen las áreas de California del Sur mientras los bomberos comienzan a pensar que apagar todas las implacables llamas podría no ser posible.

45 personas han sido heridas, entre ellos 21 bomberos que batallaban contra la llamarada. Al menos una persona ha sido reportada muerta más temprano, y otros reportes no han sido confirmados.

"Si es así de grande y sopla con tanto viento como tiene ahora, llegará al océano antes de que se detenga [...] Podemos salvar algunas cosas pero no lo podemos detener", dijo el Capitán del Departamento de Bomberos de San Diego, Kirk Humphries.

Ayer, el presidente George W. Bush declaró estado de emergencia en California, permitiendo que el estado reciba asistencia federal.

"Todos en esta nación están preocupados por las familias que han perdido sus hogares y las muchas familias que han sido evacuadas de sus casas. Enviamos la ayuda del gobierno federal", había dicho el mandatario en una declaración a la prensa.

Las voraces llamas han sido alimentadas por los vientos de Santa Ana, que han soplado por más de tres días y no están pronosticados que cesen. Al menos 2.000 hogares han sido quemados a cenizas y 70.000 casas están en gran riesgo. Al menos 400.000 acres han sido devorados por 18 implacables incendios.


Emergenza incendi: in California evacuate oltre un milione di persone

Secondo la rete TV CNN, ammonterebbero a 950mila (calcolato in base ai dati dell'Ufficio del Censimento) gli sfollati a causa dell'emergenza incendi che ha luogo da domenica scorsa in California. Ad oggi, nella sola contea di San Diego, sono state evacuate ben 350mila case; intanto, ad altri 500mila cittadini californiani è arrivato l'ordine di lasciare la propria abitazione.

Gli edifici distrutti sono migliaia, e al momento si contano già cinque morti. Per domani è previsto il sopralluogo del presidente George W. Bush


Trzeci dzień walki z pożarami w San Diego w Kalifornii

Od trzech dni strażacy walczą z szybko rozprzestrzeniającymi się pożarami w południowej Kalifornii. Jest to największa klęska żywiołowa w Stanach Zjednoczonych od czasu Huraganu Katrina. 22 października ewakuowano ok. 250 tys. mieszkańców w hrabstwie San Diego. Pacjentów ze szpitali i domów opieki przewożono autobusami szkolnymi i karetkami.

W niedzielę został ogłoszony na terenie hrabstwa San Diego stan alarmowy. Żywiołowi sprzyja susza, która utrzymuje sie tam od marca. Poza tym jest tam zjawisko nasila wysoka temperatura i silny wiatr. Obecny rok jest najsuchszym okresem w Los Angeles od 1877 roku.

"Ogień spustoszył w hrabstwie San Diego ok. 40,5 tysiąca hektarów" - poinformował w poniedziałek Ron Roberts z miejscowych władz.

"Mamy więcej płonących domów niż jednostek do ich gaszenia. Wiele osób straci dziś domy"  - powiedziała 22 października Lisa Blake, kapitan straży pożarnej w San Diego.

Co najmniej 513 tys. mieszkańców okręgu San Diego nakazano ukryć się w schronach, szkołach i stadionach sportowych. Rodziny z 350 tys. domów z tego okręgu zostały ewakuowane. Zestawiając tą liczbę ze spisem ludności z roku 2000, liczba ewakuowanych sięga prawdopodobnie miliona.

Pożary w San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside i hrabstwie Los Angeles powodują nasilanie się dużej ilości gęstego dymu. Dym przemieszcza się na zachód nad Ocean Spokojny. Rozprzestrzenił się on na odległość 1600 km od linii brzegowej Kalifornii. Władze obawiają się, że powstały dym, który zamienia noc w dzień, może mieć gorsze skutki dla zdrowia niż same pożary.

"Ze wstępnych szacunków wynika, że tylko zniszczone domy oznaczają straty w wysokości ponad miliarda dolarów" - poinformował Ron Lane, zarządzający ekipami ratunkowymi w San Diego. Podane przez niego dane dotyczą strat firm.

Spaleniu uległo 1,2 tys. budynków a w całym hrabstwie San Diego 1,5 tys. domów. Zginęły trzy osoby a 40 jest rannych.

Na prośbę gubernatora stanu Arnolda Schwarzeneggera George W. Bush ogłosił stan klęski żywiołowej w Kalifornii. Wiąże się to z powołaniem długoterminowych federalnych programów naprawczych. Dotyczą one m.in. pomocy osobom nieobjętym ubezpieczeniem. Prezydent Stanów Zjednoczonych już dwa dni temu zapowiedział doraźną pomoc siedmiu hrabstwom.


Incêndios na Califórnia fazem evacuar 1 milhão de pessoas. O presidente dos Estados Unidos, George Bush visitou a Califórnia e decretou estado de emergência. Pelo menos uma pessoa morreu e mais de 17 estão feridas.[1]. Schwarzenegger, governador do estado  pediu reforços de homens e equipamentos ao Pentágono para ajuda no combate ao incêndio.[2] Mais de 8 mil bombeiros estão envolvidos na operação.[3]


В Калифорнии не утихают лесные пожары

Лесные пожары в Калифорнии привели к самой масштабной в истории штата эвакуации. На сегодняшний день из опасных зон эвакуирован миллион человек. Пожарным пока не удается справиться с разбушевавшейся стихией. Пожарам присвоена категория «неуправляемых».

Губернатор Калифорнии Арнольд Шварценеггер заявил на пресс-конференции: «Могу вам сообщить, что каждый человек окружен одинаковой заботой, налажено взаимодействие. Как только мы увидели поднимающиеся ввысь языки огня, насколько складывается тяжелая ситуация, в семи округах незамедлительно было объявлено чрезвычайное положение. Мы все вместе противостоим стихии».

В Калифорнию уже направлена федеральная помощь, и ее масштабы будут увеличены.

Президент США Джордж Буш планирует посетить штат в четверг, 25 октября.

24 октября 2007 года


10 years on Diana, Princess of Wales remembered

Exactly ten years on from her death hundreds of people attended a memorial service today led by her two sons, William and Harry, in memory of Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris, France in 1997.

The memorial service was led by her two sons and was attended by many members of the British Royal Family including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Prince Charles, Diana's brother and sisters and others including Andrew Lloyd Webber, former UK prime ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson. Hundreds more listened to the ceremony broadcast live outside. There was also a period of two minutes of silence in Harrods, the London department store owned by Mohamed Al-Fayed, father of Diana's partner at the time of the crash Dodi, to pay respect.

During the ceremony Harry called his mother "the best in the world" and the Bishop of London, Reverend Dr Richard Chartres, said that Diana should now be left to "rest in peace" and that the media speculation and conspiracy theories should end.

The second inquiry into the circumstances of the fatal crash is due to commence in the coming weeks.


Gran Bretaña conmemora la muerte de Lady Di

31 de agosto de 2007Londres, Reino Unido —

Con la destacada ausencia de Camila, los británicos conmemoran hoy el décimo aniversario de la muerte de la princesa Diana en un accidente de tráfico en París, Francia, con la celebración de un "servicio de acción de gracias" en Londres y varios homenajes a lo largo y ancho del país.

Los príncipes William y Henry, hijos de Lady Di, harán sendas lecturas en memoria de su madre en el acto de una hora de duración que se celebrará a partir del mediodía en la Capilla de la Guardia, próxima a la residencia real del Palacio de Buckingham.

Al servicio acudirán el príncipe Carlos y la Reina de Inglaterra, Isabel II, así como el primer ministro británico, Gordon Brown, sus antecesores en la jefatura del Gobierno Tony Blair y John Major, y varios amigos de la princesa, entre ellos el músico Elton John.

La gran ausente en el evento será la segunda esposa del heredero al trono, Camila, que justificó su decisión de no acudir alegando que su presencia distraería la atención del verdadero objetivo del acto, "recordar la vida y trabajo de Diana".

La duquesa de Cornwall, a la que en su día la propia Lady Di se refirió como a la "tercera persona" en su matrimonio, aludiendo a su relación extraconyugal con el heredero del trono, continúa hoy en la residencia veraniega de la familia real en Balmoral, en Escocia.

El pasado domingo, la duquesa anunció mediante un comunicado que le "conmovía profundamente" el hecho de que los príncipes Guillermo y Enrique le hubieran invitado a un servicio al que, en un principio, había accedido a asistir.

No obstante, la esposa de Carlos reconsideró la decisión y finalmente ha optado por mantenerse al margen, lo que se atribuye a la intervención a última hora de la propia Isabel II, preocupada por la polémica que la anunciada asistencia había suscitado en la opinión pública.

Según varios medios británicos, Camila, supuestamente enojada con el modo en que se ha manejado el asunto de su presencia, se irá este fin de semana con un grupo de amigas y sin su esposo al Mediterráneo, donde pasará unos días de vacaciones.

Además de la ceremonia central en Londres, que se transmitirá en directo por televisión, las catedrales de Manchester y Bristol acogerán hoy actos en memoria de la que el ex primer ministro británico, Tony Blair, bautizó como "princesa del pueblo".

El propietario de los grandes almacenes Harrods, Mohamed Al Fayed, padre de Dodi, el último amante de Diana, fallecido junto a ella en el accidente parisino, que no ha sido invitado a la ceremonia, depositará flores en el pequeño monumento, en recuerdo de la pareja, que mandó construir en estos mismos almacenes y donde se guardarán dos minutos de silencio.

Además de los amigos de Diana, estarán presentes en la Capilla de la Guardia miembros del personal de servicio que atendieron a la princesa desde 1981, año de su boda con Carlos, así como unos 110 representantes de diferentes asociaciones caritativas con las que colaboraba Lady Di.

Junto a Elton John, que interpretó una canción en honor a Diana en el funeral de hace diez años, estarán en la ceremonia otros famosos amigos de la princesa como el cantante Cliff Richards y el fotógrafo peruano Mario Testino.


Lady Diana: le celebrazioni a dieci anni dalla morte

Ricorre oggi il decimo anniversario della scomparsa di Diana Spencer, moglie di Carlo d'Inghilterra, madre degli eredi al trono William ed Harry, un personaggio che nessuno ha mai dimenticato, e sulla quale morte si sono susseguiti in questi dieci anni speculazioni, ipotesi, indagini e quant'altro, che hanno sfiorato la regina Elisabetta II, ma in modo particolare Camilla Parker Bowles, l'attuale moglie di Carlo, donna per la quale aveva perso la testa già prima del matrimonio, nel 1981, con Lady D.

Un incidente automobilistico, la macchina che sbanda in piena notte nel tunnel dell'Alma, a Parigi, i soccorsi che giungono con un ritardo da molti considerato eccessivo e la morte. Proprio sugli ultimi istanti di vita della principessa si è soffermato il medico francese che ha prestato i primi, ma inutili soccorsi ai feriti, ricordando come nel momento di spirare Diana fosse serena, come se stasse lasciando la vita senza accorgersi di nulla.

Un matrimonio dal quale nacquero due figli, maschi e quindi eredi diretti al trono e dopo quindici anni la separazione, con Carlo sempre più vicino a Camilla e Diana, punto questo sul quale si concentrarono e si concentrano le indagini, probabilmente incinta del compagno Dodi Al Fayed, figlio di quel Mohammed Al Fayed proprietario di Harrods, il più importante grande magazzino di Londra e nel quale oggi si sono osservati due minuti di silenzio in memoria della coppia, e principale sostenitore della tesi accusatoria per la quale la morte di Diana e suo figlio sia un complotto architettato dalla casa reale dei Windsor.

Quelle che si sono tenute oggi sono delle celebrazioni che hanno visto ancora, come nel 1997, il profondo amore del popolo britannico e non solo per la principessa triste, ma soprattutto le polemiche scatenate dalla non partecipazione alla messa di Camilla, che invece si è recata in vacanza nel Mediterraneo.

Durante la messa, alla quale hanno partecipato anche il primo ministro Gordon Brown e i suoi due predecessori Tony Blair e John Major, prendendo la parola il principe Harry ha ricordato la madre con parole molto tristi: «Non ci avrebbe mai privato del suo amore e sarà sempre ricordata per il suo impegno nel sociale. E per me e mio fratello, due bambini, era semplicemente la madre più buona del mondo. Ci manca»


11 dead after snow storms in US

11 people have been left dead and thousands have no electricity after a snowstorm hit the central area of the United States. Hundreds of flights were also cancelled. A pile-up on Interstate 40, Texas caused one death and two life-threatening injuries. Hundreds of trees and power lines have also fallen across Chicago, Wisconsin, Texas, Kansas and Minnesota.

In Wisconsin there were three fatalities from the snow storm, while one died in both Kansas and Texas. These deaths were caused from road accidents which arose from the storm.

At O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, 300 flights have been cancelled due to the storm, which is expected to move north to the area near the great lakes. Winds were at speeds of 50 to 68 mph in the Chicago Area.

In many areas visibility was lowered to almost zero by the storms.

The death in Texas was expected to have involved over 40 vehicles and about 20 semitrailers. The accident involved many families, some going on a holiday for the festive season.

Three deaths were also caused by a traffic-related incident in Minnesota.

In addition, there were reports of children not wearing clothing appropriate to the weather conditions.

The type of storm that hit America today is not uncommon at this period in Winter. Authorities have the capability to deal with this type of extreme weather, to the extent that damage is lessened but not completely prevented.


Once muertos por el temporal de nieve en Estados Unidos

Once personas murieron por consecuencia de una tormenta de nieve en los Estados Unidos, provocando accidentes de tránsito y cortes de luz en ese país.

Debido a la tormenta se cancelaron más de 300 vuelos en el aeropuerto O'Hare de Chicago el día de ayer.

Según autoridades del gobierno y seguridad de Estados Unidos, por el temporal se derribaron 170 señales de tránsito.

Aproximadamente en Wisconsin 11.000 habitantes no tuvieron electricidad el día sábado. En Michigan más de 74.500 no tuvieron energía eléctrica la noche del domingo.

La tormenta pasó por los estados de Colorado y Wyoming el viernes, y el sábado por Minnesota


12 coal miners are found dead, 1 in critical condition, in West Virginia mine

According to many news sources including CNN and USA Today, reports indicate that 12 coal miners have been found dead in the mine in Sago, West Virginia and only one has survived, reversing reports three hours earlier that 12 had been found alive -- a report that had caused celebration amongst family members and friends.

The family members of the dead miners were notified of the deaths by Ben Hatfield, CEO of the International Coal Groi[, at the Sago Baptist Church. Hatfield blamed the reversal on "bad information" and "miscommunication."

"What happened is that through stray cell phone conversations it appears that this miscommunication from the rescue team underground to the command center was picked up by various people that simply overheard the conversation that was relayed over cell phone communications without our ever having made a [public news] release," explained Hatfield.

Family members walked out of the church saying that the CEO of the mining company had "lied to them". The surviving miner, Randal McCloy, is currently in critical condition at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia.

The United States Mine Safety and Health Administration issued the mine 208 citations last year, an increase from 68 reported in 2004. Federal regulations cover concerns over accumulations of combustible materials, including methane gas and coal dust from loose coal, in addition to other safety issues. The agency has announced that it plans launch a in-depth investigation into the incident at Sago. The investigation will examine the mine's compliance with health and safety standards and how emergency information was communicated.


Sobrevive uno de los 13 obreros atrapados en una mina de carbón en EUA

Doce de los 13 obreros atrapados en la mina de carbón de Sago, cerca a Buckhannon, Virginia Occidental, fueron hallados muertos. Los trabajadores habían quedado atrapados desde el lunes (2) a las 06:40 hora local (13:40 UTC) luego de una explosión de gas metano. El único sobreviviente es Randal McCloy, quien se encuentra en estado crítico en el Ruby Memorial Hospital.

Horas antes, el júbilo se había apoderado de familiares y amigos de los obreros, pues se había dicho que 12 de ellos habían sido encontrados con vida. Incluso el gobernador de Virginia Occidental, Joe Manchin, le había dicho a la CNN que "de veras esperamos y rogamos por una rápida recuperación. No sabemos qué pudo haber pasado. Ha sido un accidente horroroso". Incluso el New York Post había puesto en su edición de la mañana del miércoles (4) la palabra "Alive!" ("¡Vivos!") impresa en letras de molde.

No obstante, de esa euforia inicial se pasó a la tristeza y a la indignación cuando nuevos informes de medios como la misma CNN y el diario USA Today, hablaban de la muerte de los obreros. Sam Lands, cuñado del minero Martin Bennet, dijo: "Todos están conmocionados. Pensé que me iba a desmayar. No lo podía creer. Nos han mentido a todos. Necesitamos respuestas". Hasta el gobernador Manchin tuvo que disculparse: "No puedo contarles algo más desgarrador que lo que he tenido que pasar en la vida". El tío del gobernador murió en una mina estatal en 1968.

El presidente de la International Coal Company, Ben Hatfield, les dio la mala noticia a los familiares de los obreros que se encontraban en la Iglesia Bautista de Sago. Posteriormente, en una rueda de prensa, culpó a los "errores de comunicación" por lo sucedido con la falsa y esperanzadora información dada horas antes, mientras que los familiares de las víctimas salían de la iglesia diciendo que Hatfield les "había mentido".

"Lo que sucedió es que, a través de las conversaciones por celular en la calle, parece que esa falta de comunicación del equipo de rescate bajo tierra con el comando central fue captada por varias personas... y fue difundida por celular sin que nosotros siquiera emitiéramos un comunicado. El International Coal Group nunca efectuó ningún comunicado acerca de que los 12 mineros estuvieran sanos y salvos, simplemente no podíamos confirmar eso en ese momento. Pero esa información se propagó como un incendio porque había provenido del comando central, aunque fue una mala información", declaró Hatfield a los medios en una difícil rueda de prensa.

No se conocen todavía las causas del fatal accidente.


Accident dans une mine de charbon de Virginie-Occidentale


Morti 12 minatori intrappolati in miniera USA 2006

Ben Hatfield, dirigente della compagnia ICG proprietaria della miniera, ha comunicato stamattina che 12 dei 13 minatori intrappolati all'interno della miniera di carbone a Tallmansville nella Virginia Occidentale, USA, sono deceduti e uno rimane in gravi condizioni.

Alle 5 di stamattina (UTC, mezzanotte ora locale) erano state diramate notizie che affermavano la situazione opposta, con 1 solo decesso. La notizia aveva talmente entusiasmato da far suonare le campane delle chiese della città a festa. Ora invece iniziano a nascere dei piccoli disordini.

I minatori erano intrappolati a 3 chilometri di profondità, dopo che lunedì era avvenuta una forte esplosione che ne aveva bloccato l'uscita.

Il nome del minatore sopravvissuto è Randal McCloy.


12 mortos e um sobrevivente são encontrados em mina de carvão na Virgínia

12 mineiros  foram encontrados mortos e houve um sobrevivente no interior de uma mina de carvão, em Sago, no estado americano da  Virginia.

Notícia divulgada pela imprensa anteriormente fôra  que 12 mineiros tinham sobrevivido e que apenas um morrera, o que fez com que familiares dos supostos sobreviventes comemorassem.

Na Igreja Batista de Sago, o presidente da companhia mineradora, a International Coal Company, retificou a informação errada e avisou as famílias sobre os 12 mineiros mortos.  Ele atribuiu o falso comunicado   à falta de comunicação. Os familiares acusaram  o executivo   de ter "mentido" para eles.

O nome do único minerador sobrevivente é Randal McCloy. Ele continua internado no  Ruby Memorial Hospital.

Por volta das 6h40 da segunda-feira (2),  13 mineradores ficaram presos   cerca de 3 km dentro de uma mina de carvão, em Sago, Virgínia,   depois de uma explosão de metano.


13 coal miners trapped in West Virginia mine

13 American coal miners were trapped 2 miles (3 kilometers) inside the Sago coal mine in the US state of West Virginia. They were trapped since 6:40 am Eastern, Monday, January 2 following a methane gas explosion which caused the shaft to collapse. Rescue operations have commenced and at last report they were 1,400 feet from the location of the miners.

Governor Joe Manchin, who lost an uncle in a 1968 mining disaster is there along with families who held a vigil in the Sago Baptist Church.


West Virginia: Dreizehn Bergleute bei Explosion eingeschlossen

Charleston (Vereinigte Staaten), 03.01.2006 – Im US-Bundesstaat West Virginia sind dreizehn Bergleute nach einer Explosion unter Tage verschüttet. Die Männer waren nach einer Explosion am Montagmorgen in 78 Meter Tiefe und über drei Kilometer vom Einfuhrschacht entfernt eingeschlossen worden. Seitdem ist der Kontakt zu ihnen abgerissen.

Das Unglück in dem „Sago-Bergwerk“ im Bezirk Upshur, rund 150 Kilometer von Charleston entfernt, hatte sich bei Schichtbeginn ereignet, als Bergleute in zwei Gruppen einfuhren. Die letzten sechs Grubenarbeiter konnten sich retten; vier von ihnen versuchten noch, zur ersten Gruppe der 13 jetzt vermissten Kumpel zu gelangen, herunterstürzendes Gestein versperrte ihnen aber den Weg.

Die weiteren Rettungsaktionen wurden zunächst durch ausströmendes Gas behindert. Erst nach dem Einsatz von Ventilatoren konnte eine Bergungsmannschaft in den Schacht vordringen.

Spätere Messungen der Luft im Schacht ergaben einen tödlich hohen Gehalt an Kohlenmonoxid; die verzweifelten Angehörigen hoffen jetzt, dass sich die Kumpel noch in einen Bereich der Grube retten konnten, in dem es ausreichend Luft zum Überleben gibt.


13 gruvarbetare instängda i West Virginia

West Virginia –
Tretton amerikanska gruvarbetare har blivit instängda tre kilometer under jord i en gruva i West Virginia.

Det har nu suttit instängda i drygt tolv timmar sedan en gasexplosion inträffade i kolgruvan. Räddningsarbetare har nu lyckats ta sig mer än 1 200 meter ned i gruvan.


13 dead as cargo plane crashes in Congo

An Antonov cargo plane has crashed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing 13 people on board.

The plane had just taken off from Kongolo, Katanga with a cargo of tin ore when the aircraft developed engine problems, causing the Russian pilot to attempt to return for an emergency landing. However, the plane instead crashed short of the runway, busting into flames.

Although 13 have been confirmed dead, the bodies two of whom have not been recovered, two people were rescued from the aircraft before it caught fire. The pair, one a young child and the other a man in his twenties, are being treated in a local hospital.

The plane had been destined for Goma, Kivu Province's capital city, carrying a cargo of around nine tonnes of cassiterite (tin oxide) and other minerals. Goma is one of Congo's main mineral transportation centres.

Air travel has a poor safety record in Africa. According to the Aviation Safety Network, last year Africa accounted for just 3% of all airliner flights, but also accounted for 18.5% of all fatal accidents in the commercial aviation sector. Mining flights in particular have caused safety concerns, with officials banning flights into Goma from Walikale, also in Kivu, in June. Prior to the ban, aircraft had been using a stretch of road as a temporary runway while a purpose-built one was being constructed.


13 muertos luego de que estrellara un avión de carga en Congo

Un avión de carga de Antonov se ha estrellado en la República Democrática del Congo causando que 13 personas murieran.

El avión había despegado de Kongolo, Katanga, con un cargamento de estaño cuando la nave sufrió problemas en el motor, causando que el piloto ruso intentara volver para un aterrizaje de emergencia. Sin embargo, el avión cayó cerca de la pista de aterrizaje, y luego se envolvió en flamas.

Aunque 13 personas han sido confirmadas muertas, de los cuales sus cuerpos no han sido recuperados, dos personas fueron rescatadas de la aeronave antes de que se incendiara. El par, un niño y un hombre de unos 20 años, están siendo tratados en el hospital local.

El avión tenía destino a Goma, capital de la provincia de Kivu del Norte, y llevaba cerca de nueve toneladas de casiterita (óxido de estaño) y otros minerales. Goma es uno de los centro de transportación de minerales principal en Congo.

La industria aérea de África tiene mala fama. De acuerdo a la Red de Aviación Segura, el año pasado África tuvo tan solo el 3% de los vuelos por aerolínea, pero representó el 18,5% de todos los accidentes fatales en el sector de aviación comercial. Los vuelos de la industria minera han causado preocupación en particular, haciendo que oficiales prohibieran en junio vuelos de Walikale (también en Kivu) a Goma.

Antes de la prohibición, los vuelos utilizaban un tramo de ruta como pista de aterrizaje temporal mientras se construía una adecuada.


13 die in two aircraft accidents in Russia

Thirteen people have died in Russia after two accidents, one with an airplane and one with a helicopter.

An Antonov An-12 cargo airplane crashed early Sunday morning in the Moscow airport Domodedovo, leaving no survivors. According to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Emergencies, the airplane "fell four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the runway and caught fire. There were eight people on board, including crew and passengers." Five crewmembers and three passengers were on their way from Moscow to the cities Bratsk and Omsk, in Siberia.

On Saturday, 5 others died, among whom two were children, in the crash of a private helicopter in the Udmurtia Republic, near the Ural mountains. A spokesperson for the Russian aviation agency Rosaviation explained that the helicopter hit power cables and consequently fell into a local water reservoir, and sank.


Mehrere Tote bei Flugzeugabsturz in Russland

Moskau (Russland), 30.07.2007 – Sieben Menschen sind gestern Morgen beim Absturz eines 43 Jahre alten Flugzeugs vom Typ „Antonow AN-12“ ums Leben gekommen. Es befand sich auf dem Weg von Moskau nach Bratsk in Sibirien. Wenige Kilometer nach dem Start stürzte die voll betankte Frachtmaschine in der Nähe des Moskauer Flughafens Domodedowo ab und brannte völlig aus. Das Absturzgebiet liegt auf freier Fläche neben einem Dorf. Erste Angaben, denen zufolge auch Passagiere an Bord gewesen seien, bestätigten sich nicht.


Trece personas mueren en accidentes aéreos en Rusia

Trece personas murieron en las últimas horas en Rusia, tras dos accidentes aéreos, uno de un avión y otro de un helicóptero.

Un avión An-12 se precipitó en la madrugada del domingo en el aeropuerto moscovita Domodedovo, dejando un saldo de ocho personas muertas. Según el Ministerio de Situaciones de Emergencia, "el avión cayó a unos cuatro kilómetros de la pista, entre un pueblo y un cementerio y se incendió. Ocho personas, entre ellas los miembros de la tripulación, murieron". En el avión viajaban 5 tripulantes y tres pasajeros, y su ruta de vuelo era de Moscú a Bratsk, en Siberia.

Por otro lado, otras cinco personas murieron, entre ellas dos niños, al precipitarse un helicóptero privado en la República de los Udmurti, cerca de los Urales. "El helicóptero rozó una línea de electricidad antes de caer en un tanque de agua", confirmó un portavoz de la agencia rusa de aviación Rosaviation.


13 morts dans des accidents aériens en Russie

Treize personnes sont mortes dans deux accidents aériens ces dernières heures en Russie, un mettant en cause l'une un avion, l'autre un hélicoptère.

Un Antonov An-12 s'est écrasé dimanche à l'aube aux environs de l'aéroport moscovite de Domodedovo, tuant huit personnes dans l'accident. Selon le Ministère des Situations d'urgence, « l'avion s'est écrasé à environ quatre kilomètres de la piste, entre un village et un cimetière, et a pris feu. Huit personnes, dont les membres d'équipage, sont morts ». L'avion transportait 5 membres d'équipages et 3 passagers, et devait joindre Moscou à Bratsk (Sibérie).

D'un autre côté, cinq autres personnes, dont deux enfants, sont mortes dans la chute d'un hélicoptère privé dans la République des Udmurti, près de l'Oural. « L'hélicoptère a rompu une ligne électrique avant de s'écraser dans un réservoir d'eau », a confirmé un porte-parole de l'agence russe d'aviation Rosaviation.


14 killed by bushfires in Australia

Bushfires across the Australian state of Victoria have killed at least 108 people and have destroyed dozens of homes. These fires were caused by a severe heat wave affecting the country, combined with winds reported to have reached gale force. According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the fires have burned approximately 30,000 acres (12,140 hectares) of land since they began on Friday. State police officials stated that there are still several more fires being fought, and feared that the death toll could reach as much as double the currently confirmed number when all fires are extinguished and investigations begin.

Temperatures in Victoria today reached 46° Celsius (115° Fahrenheit), with the combination of temperatures and high winds helped to fuel the fires. The fire was reported to be moving at an estimated 60 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour). "This has been an absolute tragedy for the state and we believe this figure may only get worse. We're concerned this figure could even reach up into the 40s," stated Kieran Walshe, the Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner, referring to the death toll.

"The whole of Kinglake is ablaze, I live a couple of kilometers out of town, I heard explosions, by the time I got to the road there were fires everywhere. [There is] flame everywhere, trees exploding, gas tanks exploding, buildings on fire, it's very, very, very serious," said a resident of Kinglake, a small township north of Melbourne that was greatly affected by the flames. "I can't quite see down into the main stretch of town, but there's a lot of flame coming up from there, so I presume most of the town is going up," he also stated. Kinglake has had the most deaths in the fire outbreak so far, where it was reported that six people traveling in a car were all killed when it was set ablaze by the raging flames.

Over 30,000 volunteers are currently fighting the blazes across the country, along with the help of helicopters and aircraft dropping chemicals and water onto the site hoping to help extinguish the fire. Greg Esnouf, the Victoria Country Fire Authority deputy chief, stated that conditions for firefighters were "off the scale" dangerously, and also stated that the forecast for Sunday would not be different than the previous few days.

Victoria Police have reported that they are suspecting that some of the fires were lit through arson, and are currently in the process of questioning a resident about a fire that started outside of the city. Another man was arrested in connection with deliberately lighting the fire, but was released by police and had arson charges dropped.

According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the heat wave is expected to continue throughout the weekend and peaking in the southeastern part of the country, with temperatures not expected to get cooler until early next week.


Mindestens 181 Tote durch Waldbrände in Australien

Melbourne (Australien), 12.02.2009 – Buschfeuer und Waldbrände im australischen Bundesstaat Victoria haben zwischen dem 7. und 11. Februar mehrere Hundert Menschenleben gefordert, 500 Personen sind zum Teil schwer verletzt worden. Nach Medienangaben brannten mehrere Dörfer völlig aus und es wurden über tausend Häuser zerstört, 5.000 Menschen wurden obdachlos. Das volle Ausmaß der Katastrophe ist noch nicht absehbar. Die Brände wurden neuesten Erkenntnissen zufolge größtenteils durch Blitzschlag, aber leider auch Brandstiftung in einer aufgrund der schweren Hitzewelle ausgedörrten Steppenlandschaft verursacht und von orkanartigen Winden angefacht. Diese entstehen durch Eigendynamik aufgrund der großen durch Feuer verursachten Hitzewelle. Einem Bericht des Sydney Morning Herald zufolge wurde eine Fläche von ungefähr 365.000 Hektar ein Raub der Flammen, seit die Brände am Freitag begannen. Mitarbeiter der Staatspolizei gaben an, dass immer noch weitere Brände bekämpft werden und zu befürchten sei, dass die Zahl der Opfer weiter steigen könnte, bis alle Glutnester gelöscht sind und die Ermittlungen beginnen können. Die Glutnester werden durch von der Hitze verursachte Winde immer wieder angefacht, so dass die Feuerwehrleute wieder mit den Löscharbeiten von vorne beginnen können. Verschärft wird die Situation durch neuerliche, vornehmlich nächtliche Brandstiftungen. Es sei nur sehr schwer, den Teufelskreis zu durchbrechen. Gleichzeitig wurde im Norden Australiens der Notstand ausgerufen, da große Teile von Ingham schweren Überschwemmungen nach tagelangen Regenfällen heimgesucht, rund eintausend Quadratkilometer vom Bundesstaat Queensland sind seit dem Samstag betroffen.

Laut der australischen Wetterbehörde wurde am Freitag erwartet, dass die Hitzewelle über das Wochenende anhalten und ihren Höchststand im südöstlichen Teil des Landes erreichen werde. Außerdem gehe die Behörde davon aus, dass die Temperaturen bis Anfang nächster Woche nicht sinken werde. Nach Angaben des staatlichen Meteorologen Terry Ryan entwickeln die Feuer ein eigenes Wetter: „Wir nennen das einen Pyrocumulus“, ließ er verlautbaren.

Die Temperaturen in Victoria erreichten am Samstag Höchstwerte von 115° Fahrenheit (46° Celsius), was wegen des zeitlichen Zusammentreffens mit extremen Winden zahlreiche Buschfeuer verursachte. Die Brände bewegten sich Meldungen zufolge mit einer geschätzten Geschwindigkeit von 40 Meilen pro Stunde (60 Kilometer pro Stunde). Zur Zahl der Todesopfer sagte Kieran Walshe, der stellvertretende Polizeipräsident des Bundesstaates Victoria am Samstag: „Das war eine absolute Tragödie für den Staat und wir denken, die Zahl könnte noch schlimmer werden. Wir fürchten, diese Zahl [der Toten] könnte sogar über 40 steigen“.

„Ganz Kinglake (Bezirk Murrindindi Shire) steht in Flammen, ich wohne ein paar Meilen außerhalb der Stadt, ich hörte Explosionen, nach einiger Zeit ging ich zur Straße, wo überall die Feuer waren. Flammen überall, explodierende Bäume, explodierende Gastanks, Gebäude in Flammen, es ist sehr, sehr, sehr ernst“, sagte ein Einwohner von Kinglake, einer kleinen Stadt nördlich von Melbourne, die von den Bränden komplett zerstört wurde. „Ich konnte kaum hinunter in die Hauptfläche der Stadt sehen, aber da sind viele Flammen, die von dort hier rauf kommen, deshalb nehme ich an, der größte Teil der Stadt brennt ab“, fügte er hinzu. Kinglake hat bisher die meisten Todesfälle bei diesem Brand, bei dem Angaben zufolge am Samstag sechs Personen, die in einem Auto unterwegs waren, getötet wurden, als dieses von auflodernden Flammen in Brand gesetzt wurde. Inzwischen hat sich die Zahl über die vom Sonntag (55) und Montag (170) Dienstag auf 181 erhöht, 750 Häuser wurden zerstört.

Über 30.000 Freiwillige bekämpften in den vergangenen Tagen die Brände im Land, unterstützt von Hubschraubern und Flugzeugen, die Chemikalien und Wasser abwerfen, in der Hoffnung das Feuer zu löschen. Greg Esnouf, stellvertretender Chef der Feuerwehrbehörde des Bundesstaates Victoria, gab an, dass die Bedingungen für die Feuerwehrmänner „maßlos“ gefährlich seien, und er sagte ebenfalls, dass die Vorhersage für folgende Tage nichts anderes sagen als an den vergangenen paar Tagen. Unterdessen wurden bei einem Feuer nahe Melbourne die Feuerwehrleute Samstagmittag (Ortszeit) abgezogen, weil die Lage zu gefährlich wurde. Die hohe Zahl der Opfer vom Sonntag läßt sich dadurch erklären, dass flüchtende Bewohner in ihren Autos durch Feuerwalzen überrascht worden sind und verbrannten. Wie viele letztlich auf diese Art umgekommen sind, ist zur Stunde noch nicht bekannt.

Die Polizei von Victoria berichtete, dass sie vermutet, einige der Feuer seien durch Brandstiftung entstanden, und dass sie momentan dabei seien, einen Einwohner über ein Feuer zu befragen, das außerhalb der Stadt begann. Ein weiterer Mann wurde wegen absichtlichen Legens von Feuer verhaftet, aber später von der Polizei freigelassen; die Anklage wegen Brandstiftung wurde fallen gelassen. Auch ein 15-Jähriger wurde vorübergehend festgenommen.Nach Berichten der Onlineausgabe der österreichischen Zeitung Der Standard sollen aber auch zahlreiche Feuer aufgrund Blitzschlag entstanden sein, hieß es am Montagabend.

Inzwischen hat sich der australische Premier ein Bild von der Lage vor Ort gemacht und spricht fassungslos von Massenmord durch Brandstiftung. Die Kleinstadt Marysville nordöstlich von Melbourne ist komplett niedergebrannt mit einer nicht bekannten Zahl von Toten und wurde von der Polizei gesperrt. „Es dürfte Wochen und Monate dauern, bis wir die vielen Opfer identifiziert haben“, so Polizeisprecher Greg Hunt. Viele Opfer sind bis zur Unkenntlichkeit verbrannt.

Die Ermittler gehen davon aus, dass  „mindestens ein Feuer mit 20 Todesopfern“ in Gippsland östlich von Melborne „absichtlich von Brandstiftern gelegt“ worden sei, eine Sonderkommission „Phönix“ wurde eingesetzt und ermittelt. Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel und Bundesaußenminister Frank-Walter Steinmeier haben Australien nach Angaben von Net Tribune zu der hohen Zahl der Toten kondoliert. Der australische Premier Kevin Rudd forderte vorm australischen Parlament lebenslang für die mutmaßlichen Brandstifter.

Brandstiftung kann laut Kölner Stadtanzeiger viele Gründe haben, an erster Stelle die Langeweile, an zweiter Sucht nach zweifelhafter Aufmerksamkeit, verschwindend gering ist der Anteil der Grundstücksspekulanten. In der Nacht zu Mittwoch sollen weitere Brandstifter am Werk gewesen sein.  Es werde noch immer versucht, gegen nunmehr 23 Brände vorzugehen und es soll vermehrt zu Plünderungen gekommen sein. Der Schaden für die Artenvielfalt in Australien der dort lebenden, zum Teil vom Aussterben bedrohten Tiere ist ebenfalls noch nicht absehbar. Es wird befürchtet, daß eine Million einheimischer Tiere ums Leben gekommen seien. Außerdem wird geschätzt, dass die Löschung der Brandserie noch etwa eine Woche dauern könnte. Die Todeszahlen könnten laut Schätzung von Experten auf 300 steigen.

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181 людина загинула в лісових пожежах у Австралії

Лісові пожежі в австралійському штаті Вікторія призвели вже до 181 смертельних випадків і викликали руйнацію 750 будинків, головним чином у Кінглеке і в його околицях. Пожежі забрали найбільшу кількість життів за всю історію Австралії. Вони почалися під час спеки у суботу, 7 лютого, день, коли в кількох областях Австралії, включаючи столицю штату Мельбурн, була відзначена найвища температура за 150 років. Лісові пожежі були є найсильнішими за всю історію Австралії, перевершуючи пожежі в Чорну п'ятницю в 1939 році, і пожежі на День покаяння в 1983 році. Гірські міста Кінглеке і Мерісвілль, на північний схід від Мельбурна отримали серйозні збитки від вогню, Мерісвілль зруйнований більше ніж на 80%.

10 лютого 2009


14 US soldiers dead after helicopter crash in Iraq

At least 14 United States troops, four crew and ten passengers, were killed in Iraq when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed, for unknown reasons. The U.S. military in Iraq are blaming mechanical failure for the crash. One other helicopter was flying with the downed one on a mission the military calls Task Force Lightning.

"There were no indications of hostile fire. Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were on a night operation when one of the aircraft crashed. That helicopter had been carrying four crew members and 10 passengers," said the U.S. military in a statement to the press.

The military says that this is the worst crash of its kind in Iraq since 2005 when 31 U.S. marines were killed after their chopper crashed.


14 soldados estadounidenses mueren por accidente de helicóptero en Iraq

22 de agosto de 2007Bagdad, Iraq — 14 soldados del ejército de Estados Unidos fallecieron por el accidente de un helicóptero UH-60 Black Hawk durante una operación nocturna en el norte de Iraq, diez de ellos eran pasajeros y los otros cuatro sus tripulantes. De acuerdo con los primeros informes militares, el accidente ocurrió debido a que helicóptero presentó fallas mecánicas.

En los comunicados no se precisa el lugar exacto del accidente, aunque se cree que este ocurrió cerca de la ciudad iraquí de Tikrit, debido a que esta es la base de operación de la División Norte de las fuerza multinacionales, la cual dio reporte del incidente.

Las fuerzas militares afirmaron que este sería el percance más grave ocurrido con las tropas estadounidenses que se encuentran en Iraq desde 2005. Además indicaron que en él no hubo indicios de fuego hostil y que se encuentran investigando lo ocurrido.

Tras este accidente, El Pentágono confirmó que 3.721 soldados estadounidenses han muerto en Iraq desde marzo de 2003.


15 killed and 22 injured after fire in Chinese bar

A fire at a bar in Changle, China has killed 15 people and injured 22 others. It was triggered by a group of ten celebrating a birthday who set off fireworks shortly before midnight.

A firework set light to the ceiling of the Latin-style bar at 11:55 pm. Within minutes the 198-square meter structure was fully alight, with the fire brigade receiving a call shortly after midnight on Sunday morning.

By 12:20 am the fire had been extinguished and rescuers found 35 people within the ruins, fifteen of whom were declared dead at the scene. The bar, which is on Zhenghe Road, was cordoned off by police and an investigation has been launched.

Most of the injured were suffering from smoke inhalation, burns to their heads and limbs or both. Changle City Hospital, which is a kilometer from the bar, provided first aid and the wounded were then transported to three other hospitals within the provincial capital Fuzhou.


福建长乐酒吧发生火灾 已致17人死亡

北京时间1月31日晚上11时55分左右，中国福建省长乐市拉丁酒吧发生特大火灾，到目前已经导致17人死亡，20余人受伤。这次事故是由于一群青年男女在酒吧内开生日派对时，在桌面上燃放烟花，引燃天花板而酿成的。

事故发生后，经过消防队员的奋力抢救，凌晨20分大火就被扑灭，过火面积仅30平方米，救出伤员几十名，之后赶紧将伤员送往南京军区福州总院、福建医科大学附属协和医院、福州市第一医院等福州多家医院进行抢救、治疗。其中有15名伤员因窒息经现场紧急抢救和送往医院抢救无效后死亡，17名经抢救后已脱险，重伤员中有2个在稍后因抢救无效死亡。死者中最小的年仅17岁。

一位目击者说，火灾发生时，正值酒吧人最多的时候，而酒吧的门是向内拉开的，所以在发生火灾后，现场一片混乱，门是很难打开的。还有酒吧的天花板上装得是隔音棉，在大火烧着时，隔音棉会滴落下来，如果粘在人的皮肤上，会造成严重的烫伤，一擦就会掉一层皮。

目前事故的情况仍在进一步调查之中。

【2009年2月1日讯】


16 dead after U.S. helicopter crashes in Afghanistan

A US Chinook helicopter crashed in south-eastern Afghanistan 80 miles south west of Kabul, killing at least sixteen people on board. Another two are missing, presumed dead.

The crash is believed to be an accident; there are no indications that it was shot down.

The helicopter went down near the city of Ghanzi at 2.30pm local time in bad weather while on a routine flight to Bagram airport. A second helicopter which was with the first arrived at Bagram safely.

Rescue operations were started at once but work at the site has been suspended for the night.

The identities of the dead are currently not known.


Tragiczny wypadek amerykańskiego śmigłowca w Afganistanie

Co najmniej szesnaście osób z załogi amerykańskiego śmigłowca Chinook zginęło w katastrofie, do której doszło w środę, 6 kwietnia, około 130 kilometrów na południowy zachód od Kabulu, stolicy Afganistanu. Dwie kolejne osoby uznano za zaginione.

Śmigłowiec runął na ziemię w pobliżu miasta Ghazni około godziny 14.30 miejscowego czasu. Załoga odbywała rutynowy lot w kierunku lotniska Bagram. Warunki pogodowe były niekorzystne. Nic nie wskazuje na to, by wypadek mógł być skutkiem ostrzału.

Akcja ratownicza rozpoczęła się niemal natychmiast po katastrofie, jednak tożsamości wszystkich ofiar do tej pory nie ustalono.


17 killed after Cambodian ferry capsizes

At least seventeen people were killed on Sunday after a river ferry in Cambodia capsized in a tributary of the Mekong river.

The ferry, with 30 people onboard, was travelling to a ceremony at a Buddhist temple. The incident occurred overnight in the Kratie province, about 160 kilometres northeast of Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh.

Reports suggest that the boat capsized due to being overloaded with passengers. "There was no storm or heavy rain when the boat sank. The accident happened because it was overloaded with passengers," said police Major Leng Sarum.

Two boys under the age of five and fourteen women were among the casualties, according to Kratie's governor Kham Phoeun.


Cambodge : au moins 17 morts dans le naufrage d'un bateau

Au moins dix-sept personnes sont mortes samedi soir après le naufrage d'un bateau sur le Mékong dans la province de Kratie.

Le bateau était apparemment en surcharge, avec une trentaine de personnes à bord. Elles se rendaient à une cérémonie dans un temple bouddhiste.

Selon le gouverneur de la province de Kratie, Kham Phoeun, deux enfants de moins de cinq ans et quatorze femmes font partie des victimes. Une dizaine de personnes sont encore portées disparues.


18 illegal Afghan and Burmese immigrants killed in truck crash in Turkey

18 illegal immigrants from Afghanistan and Burma have died after the truck smuggling them crashed in Turkey. The vehicle had been converted with compartments for hiding people in, so that news agencies are describing the modified vehicle as both a truck and a bus.

The driver appears to have lost control in Tekirdağ, near the town of Malkara, about 60 miles West of Istanbul. The vehicle overturned. 23 passengers were injured and are reported to be hospitalised and in good condition.

The truck driver survived and fled the scene. The vehicle is thought to have been destined for Greece. No other vehicles were involved.


Dieciocho inmigrantes ilegales afganos y birmanos mueren en accidente Turquía

Dieciocho inmigrantes ilegales de Afganistán y Birmania murieron luego de que el camión que los transportaba se accidentara en Turquía.

El vehículo tenía compartimientos donde se escondían los inmigrantes ilegales, por lo que las agencias de noticias lo describieron tanto como un camión y como un autobús.

El conductor perdió el control en Tekirdağ, cerca del poblado de Malkara, 60 millas al oeste de Estambul. El vehículo volcó y ocasionó la muerte de 18, mientras que otros 23 resultaron heridos y fueron hospitalizados. Según se reporta, el estado de los heridos no era crítico.

El conductor sobrevivió y escapó de la escena. Se cree que el vehículo tenía como destino a Grecia.


20 dead in Hyderabad, India flyover collapse

At least 20 people have died and 20 more are injured after a partially constructed flyover (overpass) in Hyderabad, India collapsed onto traffic.

The disaster occurred at the Panjagutta junction, near Nagarjuna Circle. Two large concrete sections dropped onto oncoming cars and motorised rickshaws, damaging several severely.

A large emergency effort was immediately activated, but experienced severe difficulties in reaching the site due to congested traffic resulting from the collapse. Ambulances from the 108 EMRI Service and Appollo Hospitals attended the scene, and rushed the injured to a variety of nearby hospitals. All the region's major hospitals, particularly the nearby Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, have placed their medical staff on emergency alert. Rescuers are now using cranes and cutting equipment in an effort to reach anyone who may still be trapped. It is expected that the death toll could rise further as many vehicles remain trapped under tons of debris.

Various politicians also attended the scene, including the local district collector, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Senior Congress Leader and MLA from Khairathabad P Janardhan Reddy and several other ministers.

Police have asked both the public and the press to keep away from the area, in order to prevent further collapse of the unstable structure. Preliminary investigations suggest the flyover had been been poorly constructed. The construction project had been carried out by leading contractor Gammon India Limited. It had been delayed, the original foundations having been built in 2005. After a successful request by the company to have the deadline for the project extended, work was slated to cease in November of this year, with the flyover entering operation by December. It is believed heavy rains in the area a few hours prior to the collapse may have contributed to the disaster.


20 muertos por un derrumbe de un paso elevado en India

9 de septiembre de 2007Hyderaba, India —

Al menos 20 personas han muerto y otras 20 resultaron heridas luego de que un paso elevado en Hyderabad, India, se derrumbara sobre el tráfico.

El desastre ocurrió en el cruce de Panjagutta, cerca de Nagarjuna Circle. Dos grandes secciones de concreto cayeron sobre los automóviles hiriendo a varios severamente.

Un esfuerzo de emergencia fue activado inmediatamente, pero sufrió algunas serias dificultades para llega al sitio debido al congestionado tráfico que resultó del derrumbe. Ambulancias de los Hospitales del 108 Emri Service y Appollo llegaron a le escena y socorrieron a los heridos llevándolos a varios hospitales cercanos.

Todos los mayores hospitales de la zona, particularmente cerca del Instituto Nizam de Ciencia Médicas, ha puesto a su personal médico en alerta de emergencia. Los rescatistas están utilizando grúas para buscar sobrevivientes que puedan estar atrapados.

Se espera que la cifra de muertos ascienda ya que varios vehículos permanecen atrapados bajo toneladas de escombros.

Varios políticos fueron a la escena, incluyendo el colector del distrito, el Jefe de Ministros de Andhra Pradesh (Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy), el Líder Mayor del Congreso y LMC de Khairathabad, P Janardhan Reddy, junto con varios otros ministros.

La policía ha pedido tanto al púlblico como a la prensa que se mantengan fuera de la escena para prevenir más derrumbes de la inestable estructura. Investigaciones preliminares sugieren que la estructura fue pobremente construia.

El proyecto de construcción fue llevado a cabo por Gammon India Limited. Éste fue demorado, habiéndose empezado en 2005. Luego de un pedido exitoso de la compañía para tener una extensión en la fecha límite, se esperó que el trabajo cesara en noviembre de este años, entrando el paso elevado en uncionamiento para diciembre.

Se piensa que las fuertes lluvias en el área poco antes del derrumbe pudieron haber contribuido al desastre.


20 dead, seventeen trapped after Chinese coal mine explosion

An early morning coal mine explosion in Beijing, China left 20 miners dead and seventeen trapped inside. The blast occurred at approximately 06:00 am (22:00 UTC) local time in the Henan province, about 430 miles (690 kilometers) south of the capital Beijing.

A spokesperson for the State Administration of Work Safety said that the cause of the blast and the depth of the trapped miners are unknown. He also confirmed that seventeen people were trapped instead of 30 as previously reported.

China's mining industry is one of the most dangerous in the world with thousands of deaths each year. Earlier this year 115 miners were rescued from a flooded coal mine in China. The group survived by eating sawdust, tree bark, paper and coal. 1,600 illegal Chinese coal mines have already been shut down this year in an attempt by regulators to improve safety standards. The number of fatalities in Chinese mines had fallen, but rose suddenly again earlier this year.


China: mindestens 21 tote Kumpel bei Grubenunglück

Yuzhou (Volksrepublik China), 17.10.2010 – Mindestens 21 Bergleute sind bei einem Grubenunglück in der Stadt Yuzhou in der Provinz Henan in Zentralchina ums Leben gekommen, 16 weitere Personen wurden nach Angaben der Nachrichtenagentur Xinhua verschüttet. Das Unglück geschah am Samstag, dem 16. Oktober, gegen 6:00 Uhr Ortszeit. Als das Unglück geschah, befanden sich rund 270 Minenarbeiter in dem Bergwerk. Der Fernsehsender CCTV berichtete, dass hohe Konzentrationen von Gas und Einsturzgefahr die Suche nach den Verschütteten erschwere. Es ist noch nicht bekannt, ob die Vermissten überlebt haben. An der Suche nach ihnen sind rund 70 Retter beteiligt.

In der Provinz Henan verloren bereits im Juni dieses Jahres 47 Bergleute und im August weitere neun Kumpel bei Grubenunglücken ihr Leben. Chinesische Bergwerke sind häufig Schauplatz von Unfällen. 2009 kamen mehr als 2600 chinesischen Bergarbeiter um. Experten gehen davon aus, dass die Dunkelziffer weitaus höher ist. Trotz verschärfter Sicherheitsvorschriften in den letzten Jahren werden immer noch viele illegale Bergwerke betrieben, in denen die Vorschriften nicht eingehalten werden. Das Kohlebergwerk, in dem sich das Unglück ereignete, gehört der Pingyu Coal and Electric Company, einem teilweise in staatlichem Besitz befindlichen Unternehmen.


20 bányász meghalt, 17 bent rekedt a kínai bányarobbantásban

Szerencsétlenül robbantottak szénbányát Kínában. Húsz bányász meghalt, tizenheten bent rekedtek. Helyi idő szerint hajnali 6 órakor (UTC 22:00) történt a baleset Henan tartományban, a fővárostól, Pekingtől 630 km-re délre.

Az Állami Közigazgatási Munkavédelem (国家安全生产监督管理总局) szóvivője azt nyilatkozta, hogy a robbanás és a csapdába esett munkások pontos mélysége egyelőre nem ismert. Azt is megerősítette, hogy 17-en rekedtek benn a korábban jelentett harminc helyett.

Kína bányászati ipara az egyik legveszélyesebb a világon több ezer halálesettel évente. Tavaly 115 bányászt kellett kimenteni egy elárasztott szénbányából. A csoport túlélte, úgy, hogy fűrészport, fakérget, papírt és szént ettek. Idén több mint 1600 illegális bányát buktattak le a biztonsági előírások betartása érdekében. A bányahalálesetek száma az utóbbi években lecsökkent az országban, de az idei év elejére hirtelen megnőtt.


24 error messages sent by Flight 447

French authorities have today revealed that Air France Flight 447 sent 24 error messages shortly before the plane disappeared during the flight between Rio de Janeiro and Paris with 228 people on board. They also said that the plane's auto-pilot was not active, although they say that from the error messages it is impossible to determine the reason for it being inactive. The crash is said to be the world's worst aviation disaster since 2001.

Officials have still not determined the reason for the flight's disappearance or located the wreckage of the plane, but have said that it was flying through an area of "powerful cumulo-nimbus" clouds. The authorities continued saying, "these are found frequently in this area and in normal climactic [sic] conditions". However other meteorologists said the jet was entering a zone with unusual storms and 100mph updrafts which could have formed a vacuum, sucking water up from the ocean.

Fourteen of the error messages sent by the system were done so within a period of one minute, 2:10 a.m. – 2:11 a.m. UTC. It is thought that some of the error messages are related to the flight speed and controls related to auto thrust. Paul-Louis Arslanian, director of the French air accident investigation agency, said that the error messages indicated systems had shut down one after another. He also confirmed that the plane in question had encountered difficulties with measuring its speed and that Airbus was currently completing "a programme of replacement, of improvement".

Airbus and Arslanian insist that planes are still safe, however Airbus have since re-sent information regarding difficulties with calculating speed and confirming their advice in such situations.

Previous announcements by the Brazilian air force that they had successfully located part of the wreckage of flight 447 have turned out to be false after ships recovered unrelated debris from the sea. After recovering debris from the sea, including a cargo pallet and two buoys, Brigadier Ramon Cardoso, the director of Brazilian air traffic control said, "[U]p to now, no material from the plane has been recovered."

He continued, "We confirm that the pallet found is not part of the debris of the plane. It's a pallet that was in the area, but considered more to be trash. The pallet was made of wood, and the Air France Airbus A330 did not have any wooden pallets on board. That's how we can confirm that the pallet isn't part of the remains of the aircraft". It is thought the pallet came from a passing ship which is also being blamed as to the reason for the oil slick spotted in the area.

David Learmount, operations and safety editor of Flight International magazine, said: "The fact that the autopilot was not working is not the cause of this accident", continuing by saying it is "not at all unusual" for the autopilot to cut out, alerting the pilots with a loud warning, adding "it's not the cause, it's the symptom" of the accident.

He also said that it was "designed to cut out at any time that it receives conflicting messages, which we know it was" and that "It's designed to cut out rather than controlling the airplane in an unsafe way - it's not an intelligent system, it doesn't know which of the data are correct."

Rescuers have long since given up on attempting to find any survivors instead now trying to locate and recover the wreckage of the flight and more importantly the flight data recorders, without which they say they may never know what happened to the flight. The process of recovery is expected to be difficult with the seabed reaching depths of 3,000 to 4,000 meters. Both American and French specialist equipment has been sent to the area with the aim of recovering the recorders, however French officials say that the locator beacons attached to the boxes could possibly have become detached by the force of the impact.

Speculation has been rife as to the thought cause of the flights disappearance, ranging from a direct lightning strike to weather in the area, however recently a Spanish pilot has said, via his airline Air Comet, that on a flight in the area he saw an "intense flash of white light". The report, initially released by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo and then confirmed by AFP also said a co-pilot and passenger also saw the bright light.

"Suddenly, we saw in the distance a strong and intense flash of white light, which followed a descending and vertical trajectory and which broke up in six seconds" the unidentified captain said.


Avión A330 de Air France envió al menos 24 reportes automáticos de fallos antes de siniestro en el Atlántico


25 dead after mine explosion in West Virginia

Twenty-five miners are confirmed dead, two injured, and four missing, after an explosion in a West Virginia coal mine Monday.  The incident occurred in the Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, West Virginia.  It is the deadliest mining accident in the United States since 1984.

Search and rescue operations were suspended Tuesday due to high levels of methane gas which made conditions unsafe for rescuers.  A team attempting to ventilate the mine is expected to complete the work by Wednesday evening.  Officials said that it was unlikely that the missing miners were still alive, although they would not stop efforts until they were found.

The mine is owned by Massey Energy but operated by Performance Coal Company, a subsidiary of Massey, which is the fourth largest coal producer in the US. Federal officials have fined Massey nearly US $900,000 after numerous safety violations were found at the mine that suffered the explosion. To date, Massey has paid around $170,000.

US President Barack Obama held a prayer breakfast in the White House Tuesday morning. He said that "I would ask for the faithful who are gathered here to pray for the safe return of the missing, the men and women who put their lives on the line to save them and the souls that have been lost in this tragic accident. May they rest in peace, and may their families find comfort in the hard days ahead."


அமெரிக்காவில் சுரங்க விபத்தில் 25 பேர் கொல்லப்பட்டனர்

ஐக்கிய அமெரிக்காவில் மேற்கு வேர்ஜீனியாவில் நிலக்கரிச் சுரங்கம் ஒன்றில் திங்கட்கிழமை இடம்பெற்ற வெடி விபத்து ஒன்றில் 25 சுரங்கத் தொழிலாளர்கள் கொல்லப்பட்டனர். மேலும் நால்வரைக் காணவில்லை என்றும் அறிவிக்கப்படுகிறது. 1984 ஆம் ஆண்டுக்குப் பிறகு அமெரிக்காவில் நடந்த மிகப்பெரும் சுரங்க விபத்து இதுவாகும்.

மீதேன் வாயுக் கசிவு காரணமாக மீட்புப் பணிகள் நேற்று செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை இடை நிறுத்தி வைக்கப்பட்டது. சுரங்கத்தினுள் காற்றோட்டத்தை ஏற்படுத்தும் முயற்சி இன்று முடிவடையலாம் என எதிர்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது. காணாமல் போன தொழிலாளர்கள் உயிருடன் இருப்பதற்கு வாய்ப்புகள் அதிகம் இல்லை என அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்தனர். ஆனாலும் அவர்களை எப்படியும் கண்டுபிடித்து விடுவோம் அன எவர்கள் நம்பிக்கை தெரிவித்தனர்.

இந்தச் சுரங்கம் மசே எனர்ஜி என்ற நிறுவனத்துக்குச் சொந்தமானதாகும். ஏற்கனவே இந்தச் சுரங்கத்தில் பாதுகாப்பு விதிகளை மீறியமைக்காக இந்த நிறுவனத்துக்கு அரசு $900,000 பணம் அபராதம் விதிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது.

அமெரிக்க அரசுத்தலைவர் பராக் ஒபாமா இறந்தவர்களின் குடும்பத்துக்கு தனது ஆழ்ந்த வருத்தத்தைத் தெரிவித்தார்.

"மீட்புப் பணிகளுக்கு நடுவண் அரசு அனைத்து உதவிகளையும் வழங்கத் தயாரான நிலையில் உள்ளது," என அவர் தெரிவித்தார்.

புதன், ஏப்ரல் 7, 2010


27 believed dead in Indonesian plane crash

Officials say 27 people are dead after a plane crashed into the sea off east Indonesia today. Fifteen bodies have been recovered and it is thought the others on board have sunk with the wreckage.

"I can confirm that all the passengers were killed when the plane exploded as it crashed into the sea," an Indonesian navy official told local radio station ElShinta. He said around ten navy divers were sent to the Papua crash site 400 metres off-shore in six kilometres of water but "had difficulties locating them [trapped passengers] due to strong currents and limited equipment."

Merpati Nusantara Airlines has not confirmed passenger numbers. A transport ministry spokesman said the ministry is "still checking on the passengers' situation," adding "the weather was pretty bad at the time [of the crash]." Built by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the propellor-driven MA60 was 500 metres from a runway when it crashed, according to airport officials.

The nation of islands has heavy use of aviation and a poor safety record, including the crash of an Adam Air jet in 2007 that killed 102 people near Sulawesi. The European Commission had banned all Indonesian airlines from entering it, but two years ago flag carrier Garuda Indonesia was deemed to have improved and allowed to enter.


Indonésie : un avion s'écrase peu avant l'atterrissage

Un avion indonésien avec 25 personnes à bord s'est abîmé en mer samedi lors de son approche de l'aéroport de Kaimana, à l'est de l'Indonésie, sans laisser de survivants, rapportent les médias locaux.
« L'accident s'est produit  à environ 500 mètres de la piste » alors que l'appareil de type Xian MA-60 reliant Sorong à Kaimana était en phase d'atterrissage, a annoncé un porte-parole du ministère indonésien des Transports, Bambang Ervan, cité par la presse.

Selon l'AFP, personne n'a survécu au crash.
Pour le moment, les causes précises de l'accident restent incertaines. Le porte-parole a pourtant indiqué qu'au moment de l'atterrissage de l'appareil les conditions météorologiques étaient défavorables, avec une visibilité réduite.


29 killed in Algerian floods

Floods in the Algerian town of Ghardaïa which is in the M'zab Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have killed at least 29 people according to local officials and Ali Belkhir, the head of public health for the north African country.

Belkhir confirmed that "following these floods, we can sadly declare that 29 people have died." He also said that 84 people were injured, although the Algerian interior ministry has since lowered the toll to 48. Six hundred homes were also flooded in the incident, and several hundred people were evacuated by helicopter.

According to reports on Algerian national radio, there may also be undiscovered damage in towns nearby Ghardaïa, which is approximately 600 kilometres from the Algerian capital, Algiers.

The flooding was caused by storms that flooded a seasonal river, known locally as a wadi, which can rise quickly by around 8 metres.

Ghardaïa is the capital of the Ghardaïa Province, located on the edge of the Sahara desert, and it has a population of approximately 100,000. The city was founded in the 11th century and has a pyramid-style mosque at its center.


29 drept i flom i Algerie

Målform: Bokmål - Dato: 2. oktober 2008 - Oppdater siden - Rediger artikkelen - Flere nyheter

Algerie:  Minst 29 personer har omkommet på grunn av flom i den algeriske byen Ghardaïa, ifølge lokale myndigheter.

Ali Belkhir, sjefen for offentlig helse i det nordafrikanske landet, bekrefta at flom hadde drept 29 mennesker, og sa at 84 andre hadde blitt skadd, men det algeriske innenriksdepartementet har senere korrigert dette tallet til 48. Sekshundre hjem ble oversvømt, og flere hundre mennesker måtte evakueres med helikopter.

Ifølge rapporter på algerisk nasjonalradio kan det også være uoppdagede skader i landsbyer i nærheten av Ghardaïa, som ligger 600 kilometer fra landets hovedstad Alger.

Flommen ble forårsaka av en storm i området som gjorde at en sesongelv steg med opptil åtte meter.

Ghardaïa er hovedstaden i provinsen ved samme navn, og ligger ved grensa til Sahara, og har en befolkning på rundt 100 000. Byen ble grunnlagt i det ellevte århundre, og har en pyramideforma moske i sentrum.


29 presumed dead after second explosion at New Zealand mine

Gary Knowles, head of the search and rescue operation at the New Zealand Pike River Mine,  told media a second explosion has occurred inside the mine. He stated there is no possibility any of the 29 men still inside could have survived.

The situation began on Friday, around 3:45pm local time, with an explosion at the mine which is about halfway between the West Coast towns of Greymouth and Reefton. Emergency services began responding at 4.53pm; two miners managed to walk out and were treated for minor injuries at Grey Base Hospital, with 27 originally believed missing.

Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn initially stated: "We are holding on to hope. Look at Chile, all those miners were trapped and they all came out alive."

Early Saturday, Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall reported 29 were trapped underground, ranging from 17 to 62 years old. They were a mix of New Zealand, South African, Australian, and British nationals. Miners' families congregated at a hall in Greymouth, and were updated by the search and rescue leadership twice daily. Media briefings were also held twice daily.

Families and the public began to feel frustration that rescuers had not yet moved into the mine. The search co-ordinator Superintendent Garry Knowles explained that the gas levels in the mine meant that the risk of another explosion was too high to allow entry. The Police Commissioner, Minister of Police, and Prime Minister all confirmed they supported the decision not to send rescuers in while expert analysis showed the mine was still unsafe.

The New Zealand Defence Force supplied a bomb-disposal robot to take video footage inside the mine. However, the robot only made it 550 metres up the tunnel before being shorted out by water in the mine. Later, the robot was restarted; this time it made it 1000 metres in before running out of battery. A second Defence robot was also sent in and recorded some video footage. A 160 metre long bore-hole was drilled from the surface into an area deeper in the mine to gauge the gas levels in areas closer to where the miners could be. It was reported that the samples from that bore-hole were showing up to 95 percent methane.

At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent Knowles reported that there had been a second large explosion at 2:37pm, at least as big as the first. "Unfortunately I have to inform the public of New Zealand that at 2.37pm today there was another massive explosion underground and based on that explosion no one survived." He said the rescue team and experts believed survival was impossible. The Grey District Mayor reported that a recovery team had gone in while gas levels were still low. In a more extended briefing, the Pike River Mining chief executive explained this had not occurred as the mine was still too dangerous, but said they would do everything they could to recover the bodies.

International leaders including Queen Elizabeth have sent their condolences.


Ponovna eksplozija u novozelandskom rudniku

Novi Zeland (Okeanija), 24. novembar 2010 – Nova, druga, snažna eksplozija je uzdrmala rudnik uglja Pike River na Novom Zelandu, u kojem je zatrpano 29 rudara već šest dana. Po izjavama lokalne policije i spacilaca, strahuje se da niko od zatrpanih rudara nije preživio.

Današnja eksplozija je trajala gotovo 30 sekundi i bila je daleko snažnija i razornija od prve. Gradonačelnik okruga Gray, Tony Kokshoorn je izjavio da je ovo najcrnji dan zapadne obale zemlje, ne može biti gore od ovog, dok je novozelandski premijer John Key izjavio da je ovo nacionalna tragedija.


3 dead, 4 missing after Vietnamese cargo ship sinks in South China Sea

A Vietnamese coal transport ship sank in the South China Sea on Friday killing three people on board, reported the Xinhua News Agency.

The ship sank 22 kilometers (14 miles) from the Fangcheng Port in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The Nanhaijiu 196 rescue vessel was dispatched about 8 pm local time, when authorities were notified that the ship may sink. The coal transport ship sank about 9:30pm Friday. There were winds up to 90 kilometers per hour when the ship sank during a gale.

Saturday morning rescue operations were supplemented by a rescue helicopter. There were a total of seven crew members on board. Four are missing, while three bodies have been recovered by the South China Sea Rescue Bureau.


Tres muertos y cuatro desaparecidos tras el naufragio de un buque vietnamita en China

Un buque de transporte de carbón vietnamita naufragó en el mar de la China Meridional el viernes matando tres personas, según la agencia de Noticias Xinhua.

El buque naufragó 22 a kilómetros del puerto Fangcheng en la región autónoma de Guangxi, las autoridades chinas consideran que el naufragio fue causado por el fuerte oleaje y el mal tiempo.

El bote rescatista Nanhaijiu 196 fue enviado a las 8.00pm (hora local), cuando las autoridades fueron notificados que el buque podría naufragar. El hecho ocurrió aproximadamente a las 9.30pm del viernes. Habían vientos de 90 kilómetros por hora cuando la embarcación naufrago durante una tormenta.

Al día siguiente, las operaciones de rescate fueron apoyadas por un helicóptero. Había un total de siete tripulantes a bordo. Cuatro están desaparecidos, mientras que tres cuerpos han sido recuperados por los equipos de rescate.


Três mortos e quatro desaparecidos após o naufrágio de um barco vietnamita na China

Um navio de transporte do carvão vietnamita naufragou no Mar da China Meridional na sexta-feira, matando três pessoas, segundo a Agência de Notícias Xinhua.

O navio naufragou a 13 milhas (22 quilômetros) do porto Fangcheng na região autônoma de Guangxi, as autoridades chinesas consideram que o naufrágio foi causado por forte ondas e mau tempo.

O barco de resgate Nanhaijiu 196 foi enviado para 20hs (hora local), quando as autoridades foram notificadas de que o navio poderia naufragar. O incidente ocorreu aproximadamente às 20hs30 de sexta-feira. Havia ventos de 55 mi (90 km) por hora quando a embarcação naufragou durante uma tormenta.

No dia seguinte, as operações de resgate foram apoiadas por um helicóptero. Havia um total de sete tripulantes a bordo. Quatro estão desaparecidos, enquanto que três corpos haviam sido recuperados pelas equipes de resgate.


30 dead in Spain metro crash

At least 43 people have died and at least 46 injured, 4 of whom are in critical condition, in a metro train crash in Spanish city of Valencia, according to the regional government.

It has been reported that two of the carriages have derailed and overturned, leading to the evacuation of 150 passengers.

A part of the wall in the tunnel between the Plaza de España and Jesús stations in the southwestern neighborhood of Patraix may have collapsed, causing the derailment of one of the carriages, which in turn caused the carriage behind it to overturn.

Another theory put forth by subdelegate of the regional government Luis Felipe Martínez is that the wheels on one of the carriages fell off while the train was speeding. The same source has also confirmed that there are two overturned carriages.

The fire department, paramedics and local police are on the scene after a passenger in the crashed train called the emergency services at about 1:03 p.m. CEST (1103 UTC). The authorities have closed the area to all road traffic and routes 1 and 2 of the Valencia metro system, which use the affected rail tracks, are shut down.

The incident comes days before Pope Benedict XVI was due to visit Valencia for the World Meeting of the Families, expected to be attended by one million pilgrims.


Un comboi descarrila causant 41 morts al metro de València

Almenys 43 persones han perdut la vida i 47 han resultat ferides en un accident al Metro de València. Entre els ferits, diverses persones han sofert l'amputació de membres. Han sigut traslladats als hospitals Peset, General, Clínic, Fe i Virgen del Consuelo.

L'accident s'ha produït a les 13:00 hores CEST, quan el tren de la línia 1 va volcar en eixir de l'estació de Jesús.

El conseller ha definit el descarrilament com "atípic" i ha assenyalat que l'excés de velocitat va provocar el descarrilament del segon vagó.

S'han evacuat 150 persones que es trobaven en l'andana. L'accident és el pitjor que mai s'ha patit a l'estat.

La Conselleria de Sanitat ha habilitat el telèfon 900 461 046 per oferir informació als afectats.


Un convoy descarrila causando decenas de muertos en Valencia

Al menos 43 personas han fallecido y 46 han resultado heridas en un accidente en el Metro de Valencia este lunes (3). Entre los heridos, varias personas han sufrido la amputación de miembros. Han sido trasladados a los hospitales Peset, General, Clínico, Fe y Virgen del Consuelo.

El accidente se ha producido a las 13:00 hora española (11:00 UTC), cuando el tren de la línea 1 del Metro de Valencia volcó al salir de la estación de Jesús.

El conseller ha definido el descarrilamiento como "atípico" y ha señalado que el exceso de velocidad provocó el descarrilamiento del segundo vagón.

Se han evacuado a 150 personas que se encontraban en el andén.

La Consellería de Sanidad ha habilitado el teléfono 900 461 046 para información de los afectados.


Espagne : Plus de 30 morts dans un accident de métro à Valence

43 personnes ont trouvé la mort et au moins 46 ont été blessées dont 4 sérieusement dans un accident de train dans la ville espagnole de Valence selon le gouvernement régional.

Deux wagons aurait déraillé et se seraient retournés. 150 personnes ont été évacuées.

Un morceau du mur du tunnel entre les stations Place d'Espagne et Jésus se serait effondré, causant le déraillement d'un wagon, puis du suivant.

Une autre hypothèse, avancée par un membre du gouvernement Luis Felipe Martínez est qu'un wagon aurait perdu une roue lors de l'accélération.

C'est un passager du train qui aurait alerté les services de secours à 11 heures GMT.

Cet accident survient quelques jours avant la venue du pape Benoît XVI à Valence.


Almeno 30 morti a Valencia in un incidente della metropolitana

Secondo quanto riportato dalle agenzie di stampa questo pomeriggio un treno della linea 1 della metropolitana  di Valencia, la terza città della Spagna, è uscito dai binari, causando la morte di almeno 43 persone e il ferimento in modo grave di almeno 4 persone.

L'incidente è avvenuto intorno alle 13 ora locale (11 UTC), mentre il treno era in una galleria tra le stazioni di Plaza de España e quella di Jesús, in direzione di quest'ultima.

La dinamica dell'incidente, sulla quale non sono ancora disponibili i dettagli, porterebbe ad escludere la possibilità che l'incidente sia dovuto ad un'attentato terroristico. Una delle due ipotesi attualmente maggiormente accreditate quali causa dell'incidente pongono l'origine del deragliamento nell'alta velocità e nella rottura di una ruota. Secondo l'altra ipotesi ci sarebbe stato un crollo di una parte della galleria e le macerie avrebbero investito alcune carrozze facendole deragliare.

Due carrozze del convoglio sono uscite dal binario e si sono ribaltate.

In questi giorni la città di Valencia sta raccogliendo un grossa mole di turisti. Si è appena concluso il 12º atto della competizione velistica Louis Vuitton Cup, che costituisce una parte della 32ª America's Cup. In questi giorni fervono i preparativi per la visita del Papa, prevista per la settimana prossima, nella cui occasione era previsto un massiccio aumento del traffico in metropolitana.


スペイン・バレンシア市で脱線事故

日本経済新聞によると、スペインのバレンシア市の地下鉄の駅で3日、車両脱線し、死者30人を超す事故が起きた。AP通信は死者が少なくとも41人、負傷者が47人と伝えている。

事故は3日午後1時（UTC+2、日本時間午後8時）ごろ起きた。読売新聞、朝日新聞によれば、市中心部のヘスス駅近くのカーブに差しかかった4両編成の列車が脱線し、2両が横転、トンネルの内壁に激突した。理由はスピードの出し過ぎと伝えられる。

APによれば、ホセ・ルイス・ロドリゲス・サパテロ首相は、インド訪問を短縮した。当地を訪問予定だったローマ教皇ベネディクト16世は、犠牲者のために祈りを捧げた。国王フアン・カルロス1世は悔やみの言葉を述べた。欧州議会は犠牲者のために1分間の黙祷を捧げた。


Walencja: Kilkadziesiąt osób zabitych w wypadku metra

Z bilansu udostępnionego przez przedstawicieli władz Walencji wynika, że w wypadku metra zginęło 41 osób, a co najmniej 39 zostało rannych.

Serwis internetowy "El Pais" podał że ok. godz. 13:00 pociąg linii nr 1 wykoleił się na zakręcie między stacjami Jesus i Plaza de Espańa. Centrum Alarmowe zostało poinformowane o wypadku przez jednego z pasażerów, który zadzwonił z telefonu komórkowego. Agencja AP donisi, że wagony przewróciły się na dach. W wagonach są uwięzieni pasażerowie. Ze wstępnej oceny, podanej przez źródła we władzach regionu wynika, że przyczyną wypadku było oberwanie się części sklepienia tunelu. Według rozgłośni radiowej Cadena Ser przyczyną była zbyt duża prędkość kolejki, której towarzyszyło uszkodzenie kół. W akcji ratunkowej uczestniczy 250 policjantów i 20 ekip strażackich.

Burmistrz Walencji podała numer telefonu, pod którym można uzyskać informacje o poszkodowanych: 900 46 10 46. Dostępne są również numery telefonów policji: 96 353 96 97 i 96 353 96 98.

Polska ambasada w Madrycie nie otrzymała jak dotąd żadnych informacji, by wśród ofiar katastrofy byli obywatele Polski.

W weekend w mieście będzie przebywał papież Benedykt XVI, aby uczestniczyć w piątym Światowym Spotkaniu Rodzin.


Dezenas de pessoas morrem em acidente no metrô de Valência

Pelo menos 41 pessoas morreram e outras 47 ficaram feridas num acidente no Metrô de Valência, na Espanha .

Entre os feridos, várias pessoas sofreram amputação dos membros. As vítimas foram transportadas aos hospitais:  Peset, General, Clínico, Fe e Virgen del Consuelo.

O acidente aconteceu às 13h (11:00 UTC), quando um trem da linha 1 do metrô deixou a Estação de Jesus.

Autoridades consideraram o descarrilhamento atípico e levantaram a possibilidade de excesso de velocidade como causa do descarrilhamento do segundo vagão.


30 people die in bombing in northwestern Pakistan

Two successive suicide bombings killed 30 people in a camp providing aid to displaced people in northwestern Pakistan, police officials stated. The two explosions hit the Kacha Pukha camp located near the city of Kohat. Nearly 50 people were wounded.

Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder said from Islamabad that the bomber hit the camp when a food distribution programme was underway. "This was a point where registration was under way and food distribution was under way," he said. "Most of the victims were the displaced people from the Orakzai agency where the military has launched an offensive recently, displacing a large number of people. The attack is said to have involved a suicide bomber and perhaps a remote-controlled device planted near that particular area," he added.

"At least 27 people have died. There are 45 wounded. The toll may go up," regional police chief Dilawar Khan Bangash told the Agence France-Presse news agency from the scene of the incident. "Both were suicide attacks. Body parts of the suicide bombers have been recovered. The blasts took place at the relief distribution point for internally displaced people." Officials later confirmed that the death toll was 30.

It is not immediately clear who was responsible for the bombing.


Pakistan : 30 morts dans deux attentats-suicide

Au moins 30 personnes ont été tuées et plus de 50 blessées aujourd'hui, au cours de deux attentats-suicide successifs au camp de réfugiés de Kacha Pukha, près de Kohat, dans le nord-ouest du Pakistan.

Selon Kamal Hyder, correspondant d'Al Jazeera à Islamabad, le kamikaze a frappé un camp où un programme de distribution alimentaire était en cours. « Ce camp est un point de distribution alimentaire, la plupart des victimes étaient des personnes déplacées originaires de l'agence Orakzai, où l'armée a lancé une offensive récemment », a-t-il indiqué, précisant que l'attaque aurait « impliqué au moins un kamikaze ainsi qu'un dispositif télécommandé placé près d'une zone particulière ».

« Au moins 27 personnes ont trouvé la mort et au moins 45 autres ont été blessés. Le bilan pourrait s'alourdir », a déclaré Dilawar Khan Bangash, chef de la police locale, avant d'expliquer que « quelques minutes plus tard [après le premier attentat], il y a eu une deuxième explosion, au moment où les corps des victimes [de la première explosion] étaient retirés ». Et d'ajouter : « Ces deux attentats étaient suicides. Des parties du corps des kamikazes ont été récupérés. Les explosions ont eu lieu au point de distribution de secours aux personnes déplacées ». Un bilan officiel confirmera par la suite qu'au moins 30 personnes ont perdu la vie.

Si aucun groupe n'a encore revendiqué ces attentats, les talibans sont suspectés d'en être à l'origine.