Six killed in Algeria earthquake

Algiers, Aug 1 (IANS) An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale that shook this Algerian capital Friday morning has killed six people and injured about 420 others, according to the country’s health ministry.

Four people were killed after jumping off their balcony, while two others died of heart attacks during the earthquake that occurred at about 5.11 a.m., the Xinhua reported citing the ministry .
Most of the injured people have left hospitals after medical treatment, with only 21 still hospitalized while seven will undergo surgery Friday.
The epicentre of the quake was located about 19 km to the north of the coastal locality of Bologhine west of Algiers, according to Algeria’s Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics Research Centre (CRAAG).
Vibrations could be felt in provinces, including Blida, Boumerdes, Bouira, Tipaza, and Medea, which triggered panic among citizens who left their homes to take refuge in the streets.
CRAAG said that this quake is part of the normal cycle of seismic activity in the North African nation, adding that more than 80 minor tremors after the main quake were reported.
The country’s last major earthquake was May 23, 2003, when a 6.8-magnitude temblor killed more than 3,000 people in Boumerdes and Algiers.