Deadly M4.8 earthquake kills 6 in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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A deadly M4.8 earthquake killed 6 people and wounded several others in Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo on September 23, 2016.

A wall fell on two people at the Independence Square and 4 others during the night at the hospital.

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via USGS

The M4.8 earthquake hit Bukavu at 04:11pm UTC in the South Kivu region near the border with Rwanda. The quake was preceded by a 4.5-magnitude tremor and followed by an aftershock at at 02:20 UTC.

The tremors were also felt in Kalehe, Kabare and Walungu at Kamanyola in the Ruzizi plains.

According to local news, a wall fell on two people at the Independence Square on the stairs leading to Pageco. Sources at the Biopharm Hospital also say they recorded 4 dead that night.

Several houses were reportedly cracked and damaged including churches, schools, vehicles and other property.

There was panic as families who sought refuge in the open were forced to return into their cracked houses at the onset of a heavy rain an hour before midnight.

Earthquakes are common in South Kivu. In August last year, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit the same town killing 3 people with 30 others wounded.

Tanzania also recorded 5.7 magnitude earthquake on September 10, 2016 recording at least 19 deaths and over 300 injured.

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