Earthquake strikes western shore of Lake Victoria, with tremors felt as far away as western Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
An earthquake of magnitude 5.7 struck northwest Tanzania on Saturday, 44 km from Bukoba, close to the western shore of Lake Victoria, the US Geological Survey reported. The quake, recorded at a depth of 10 km, struck at 1227 GMT, the report added.
At least 13 people have been killed and 203 injured due to the earthquake.
“The toll has climbed from 11 people dead to 13 and from 192 injured to 203,” said Deodatus Kinawilo, district commissioner for Bukoba, the town close to the epicentre of the quake that struck on Saturday.
“For now, the situation is calm and under control,” said Kinawilo, who was reached by telephone. “Some people have been discharged from hospital. We don’t expect many more injuries. We’ll see tomorrow.”
The quake was felt as far away as western Kenya and parts of Uganda, which share the waters of Lake Victoria. Tremors were also felt in Kigali, Rwanda.
A statement from the Tanzanian president’s office said that he was “shocked by reports of the earthquake that caused the death of many people, injury to others and destruction of property.”
The statement didn’t provide specific figures on casualties.
However, according to the AFP correspondent: “The regional hospital is overwhelmed and can’t handle any more patients.Emergency operations are poor and the government isn’t saying anything,” he said.
Damage from near the epicentre of today’s 5.7 magnitude earthquake in Tanzania pic.twitter.com/53qS2FQlVl
— NTV UGANDA (@ntvuganda) September 10, 2016
Earthquake measuring 5.7 hit Tanzania. A least 10 killed, 100+ wounded. Also felt in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda & Kenya pic.twitter.com/DDPhlxFnl9
— Live From Mogadishu (@Daudoo) September 10, 2016
