Violent Quake in Algeria Kills About 500

The AP yesterday reported by quoting Algerian media that a violent earthquake struck an area 60kms east of Algiers, capital of Algeria, killing at least 538 people and injuring more than 4,600.

Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said the death toll was expected to dramatically rise as hundreds of people were still under the rubble of destroyed buildings by the earthquake.

The quake hit about 7:45 p.m.(K.S.T. 3:45am), and caused panic to citizens all across the country.

The first quake lasted for 5 minutes and destroyed buildings and then about 10 aftershocks rippled through the area in the hours that followed, the AP reported.

Washington-based U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor had a magnitude of 6.7 while Algerian officials estimated it lower at 5.2.

Hye-Yoon Park parkhyey@donga.com