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Quakes Kill 39 in Rwanda, Congo

Nearly 400 injured in pair of incidents

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 3, 2008 1:56 PM CST

(Newser) – A pair of earthquakes shook Rwanda and the Congo today, killing 39 and injuring 380, the AP reports. Congo was hit first, with a 6.0 blast early this morning. Rwanda was shaken scant hours later, with a 5.0 shock. “I was at home when the earthquake hit, and the next thing I heard was the house falling down,” said one injured woman.

Rwanda took the heaviest casualties, accounting for 34 bodies so far, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. Some of the dead were worshippers caught in a collapsing church when the quakes hit. Rescuers are still combing the wreckage for more victims. In the Congo, the quakes hit the lakeside city Bukavu, damaging schools, homes, and churches while killing five.

Injured children sit in a hospital, 03 February 2008, in Bukavu. An eathquake measuring 6.0 on the richter scale shook this region of eastern Congo as people attended morning mass killing over 40 people... (Getty Images)

People stand among rubble at a central market, 03 February 2008, in Bukavu. An eathquake measuring 6.0 on the richter scale shook this region of eastern Congo as people attended morning mass killing over... (Getty Images)

A man walks through a destroyed central market, 03 February 2008, in Bukavu. An eathquake measuring 6.0 on the richter scale shook this region of eastern Congo as people attended morning mass killing... (Getty Images)

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Quakes Kill 39 in Rwanda, Congo

Nearly 400 injured in pair of incidents

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Rescuers Pull 3 More From Rubble in Turkey

Student, two teachers saved as Turkey accepts international help

Italian Scientists on Trial Over Earthquake Deaths

Group met six days before L'Aquila quake, but raised no alarm

13 Killed by 6.1 Earthquake in Uzbekistan

Kyrgyzstan-centered earthquake rocked eastern Uzbek city

Millions in Europe, Asia Face 'Unmapped' Quake Risk

'Interior zone' earthquakes can be the deadliest

7.1 Earthquake Hits Japan

Tsunami warning now lifted in ravaged northeast

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Nearly 400 injured in pair of incidents

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Democratic Republic of Congo • natural disaster • Rwanda • Bukavu • earthquake

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Rescuers Pull 3 More From Rubble in Turkey

Student, two teachers saved as Turkey accepts international help

Italian Scientists on Trial Over Earthquake Deaths

Group met six days before L'Aquila quake, but raised no alarm

13 Killed by 6.1 Earthquake in Uzbekistan

Kyrgyzstan-centered earthquake rocked eastern Uzbek city

Millions in Europe, Asia Face 'Unmapped' Quake Risk

'Interior zone' earthquakes can be the deadliest

7.1 Earthquake Hits Japan

Tsunami warning now lifted in ravaged northeast

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Newser By Users

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