SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Communication blackouts and blocked roads were hampering rescue efforts Wednesday as Papua New Guinea worked to get a better grasp of the damage wrought by a massive earthquake amid fears of its economic impact. The 7.5-magnitude tremor struck 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Porgera in the Pacific nation’s mountainous Enga province early Monday, with sporadic aftershocks continuing to rumble through the rugged region. Local media reported that aerial surveys of […]
Tag: earthquake
Taiwan developer detained over deadly quake building collapse
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — The developer of a building in Taiwan that partially collapsed during an earthquake has been detained for negligent manslaughter with prosecutors saying the man was not licensed to oversee construction projects. The lower floors of the 12-storey Yun Tsui residential building — which also housed a restaurant and hotel — pancaked when a 6.4-magnitude quake struck the tourist hotspot of Hualien on February 6. A total of 17 people died in […]
More than 30 believed dead in PNG quake: report
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — More than 30 people are believed to have died after a powerful earthquake struck Papua New Guinea’s mountainous interior, a report said Tuesday as rescue teams worked to reach the worst-hit areas. The 7.5-magnitude tremor struck 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Porgera in the Pacific nation’s Enga province early Monday, with two strong aftershocks rattling the rugged region. Phone lines have been largely cut, but the PNG Post Courier newspaper […]
Shallow 6.1-magnitude quake hits off eastern Indonesia
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia late Monday, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The quake was measured at a depth of 11.9 kilometers (seven miles) with its epicenter in the Seram Sea around 194 kilometers northwest of Ambon, the capital of Maluku province, according to USGS. “The earthquake does not have tsunami potential. I […]
PNG troops respond to major 7.5 quake as aftershocks hit
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Papua New Guinea sent troops and rescue workers after a powerful earthquake struck the Pacific nation’s mountainous interior Monday and damaged a gas plant and other buildings. Authorities warned of aftershocks and landslides. There was no official information on fatalities or injuries in the rugged region but one unconfirmed report of deaths. Assessment teams headed to affected areas near the 7.5-magnitude quake’s epicenter, which the US Geological Survey said was some […]
Major 7.5-magnitude earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea early Monday, with unconfirmed reports of blackouts and damage to buildings, officials said. The quake’s epicentre was around 90 kilometres (55 miles) south of Porgera in Enga province, according to the US Geological Survey, and hit at a depth of 35 kilometres. The quake hit PNG’s mountainous interior and US scientists said there was no tsunami threat. Felix Taranu, a seismologist at the […]
Strong 7.2 magnitude quake shakes Mexico
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — A strong earthquake shook a large swathe of southern and central Mexico on Friday, triggering the quake alarm system in Mexico City and causing buildings to sway. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries from the quake, which measured 7.2 in magnitude, according to Mexico’s National Seismological Service and the US Geological Survey. Panicked residents flooded into the street, fearing a repeat of two earthquakes last September […]
4.3-magnitude quake jolts Leyte early Wednesday
(Eagle News) — A 4.3-magnitude earthquake jolted Leyte early Wednesday. The quake–which was of tectonic origin—took place eight kilometers northwest of Kananga, at 1 a.m. Depth of focus was at 8 kilometers. An Intensity IV was felt in Capoocan and Palompon, Leyte; and an Intensity II in Cebu City. On Tuesday afternoon, Albuera Leyte, was jolted by a 3.7-magnitude quake that was felt at an Intensity IV in Ormoc City.
Search for Taiwan quake victims ends as toll rises to 17
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Rescuers Sunday ended their search of a Taiwan building partially toppled by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake as the last trapped pair were presumed dead, bringing the final death toll to 17. Thousands of emergency workers had combed through rubble at the foot of the 12-storey Yun Tsui apartment block since the quake struck the eastern city of Hualien late Tuesday. It was left leaning at around a 50-degree angle by the quake, […]
Rescuers brave aftershocks to pull bodies from tilting Taiwan tower
by Michelle Yun Agence France Presse HUALIEN, Taiwan (AFP) — Taiwanese rescuers Thursday braved aftershocks coursing through a dangerously leaning apartment block that was partially toppled by a deadly earthquake, as their search for survivors uncovered three more bodies. At least 10 people have now been confirmed killed by the 6.4-magnitude quake that struck the popular eastern tourist city of Hualien on Tuesday — five locals, four Chinese mainland nationals and a woman from the […]
Hero labrador sniffs out survivor in Taiwan quake wreckage
HUALIEN, Taiwan (AFP) — A rookie golden labrador on his first ever mission has won praise for helping Taiwanese search and rescue workers find two people trapped in a severely damaged building following a deadly earthquake. Four-year-old Tie Hsiung, whose name translates to “Iron Hero,” braved dangerous aftershocks on his first field test to search for survivors after a 6.4-magnitude quake struck the popular eastern tourist city of Hualien on Tuesday, killing 10 people. Thanks […]
Body of missing Filipina in quake-hit Taiwan found
(Eagle News) — The body of the Filipina who was reported missing after a 6.4-magnitude quake struck Taiwan on Tuesday has been found. Lito Banayo, head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, said in an interview over dzbb on Thursday that the body of Melody Castro Albano was discovered at 5:45 p.m. Albano, who is from Abulog, Cagayan, worked as a caretaker in a nursing home in Hualien, the popular tourist city in Taiwan […]





