Algeria earthquake 'kills four'

[IndianaGreen]

Algeria earthquake 'kills four'

Last Updated: Tuesday, 21 March 2006, 01:43 GMT

An earthquake measuring 5.0 has killed at least four people and injured 36 others in Algeria, reports say.

However, one eyewitness said that seven people had been killed, Algerian radio reported in its evening bulletin.

Some 30 houses are said to have collapsed in the town of Laalam in the province of Bejaia, about 300km (190 miles) east of the capital, Algiers.

The earthquake struck at 2044 (1944 GMT), the radio reported, adding that rescue operations were under way.

The tremor's epicentre was located near the town of Kherrata, between the cities of Bejaia and Setif, and measured magnitude 5.0, according to the US Geological Survey.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4827494.stm