Military

DATE=05/22/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ALGERIA/QUAKE (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-303503

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=CAIRO

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A powerful earthquake has struck northern Algeria killing at least 459 people and injuring more than 24-hundred others. V-O-A's Dale Gavlak has the details from our Middle East Bureau, in Cairo.

TEXT: Algeria's interior ministry says a strong earthquake shook the Algerian capital region, Wednesday night, cutting electricity in some neighborhoods of Algiers and causing panic throughout the city. It was followed by at least three aftershocks.

However, state radio reports that the earthquake was deadliest in the towns east of Algiers -- especially in Thenia and Rouiba -- some 50 to 100 kilometers away.

Rescuers say they feared entire families could be buried in the rubble as apartment building walls collapsed. Weeping survivors, stunned by the quickness of the quake are walking amid the debris, searching for loved ones.

Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia called the quake a misfortune that has struck his people.

The U-S Geological Survey -- which monitors quakes around the world -- says Algeria's quake registered six-point-seven on the Richter scale, but Algerian officials put it much lower, at five point two. (Signed)

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