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Deadly earthquake shakes Rwanda Deadly quakes rattle Great Lakes
(about 3 hours later)
At least 21 people have been killed - many when a church collapsed - and some 200 injured in an earthquake in western Rwanda, reports say. At least 30 people have been killed and more than 300 hurt in a series of quakes in Africa's Great Lakes region.
The quake, felt across several countries of the Great Lakes region, had a magnitude of 5.0. Police say the death toll could rise. The two most powerful occurred hours apart in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Rwanda, with magnitudes of 6.0 and 5.0 respectively.
Its epicentre was 20km (12 miles) east of Bukavu, a town across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At least 10 people died as a church collapsed in western Rwanda, while the eastern DR Congo city of Bukavu suffered widespread damage.
Police say the death toll could rise, as there are many people trapped.
A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the region in December 2005.A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the region in December 2005.
But while it is prone to seismic activity it has mostly escaped major quakes in recent years.But while it is prone to seismic activity it has mostly escaped major quakes in recent years.
The earthquake hit at about 0935 (0735 GMT). Panic
It lasted about 15 seconds and was followed by two lesser tremors, which caused panic in Bukavu and in Rwanda, AFP news agency reported. The first earthquake hit at about 0935 (0735 GMT), 20km (12 miles from Bukavu).
Power cuts The second quake came just under three-and-a-half hours later, slightly closer to the town but in Rwandan territory. It was followed by two lesser tremors.
It was not clear how many casualties had been caused by each quake, but they combined to cause panic in both the Bukavu area and in Rwanda.
Rwandan radio said 10 people died when a church collapsed in Rusizi district.Rwandan radio said 10 people died when a church collapsed in Rusizi district.
The rest were killed in other parts of Rusizi and Nyamesheke district. Another 15 were killed in other parts of Rusizi and Nyamesheke district.
There were unconfirmed reports of two more fatalities in Bukavu. DR Congo officials said five people died in Bukavu.
Witnesses told AFP that public buses were being used to transport the injured to hospital. An official from the country's UN peacekeeping mission said damage in the city was extensive.
The quake was also felt in neighbouring Burundi, disrupting hydroelectric power and causing a half-hour electricity cut. "There is lots of damage. Many buildings have been hit. Lots of houses have completely collapsed," Jacqueline Chenard said.
The quakes were also felt in neighbouring Burundi, disrupting hydroelectric power and causing a half-hour electricity cut.