Algiers, May 28: A strong aftershock measuring at least 5.5 on the richter scale jolted Algeria late yesterday, causing widespread panic and at least 200 injuries as more quake-damaged buildings collapsed to the east of the capital. State television said around 200 people were injured in the aftershock, including one seriously who was thrown out of a window. One of three people feared trapped in a fresh building collapse has been located, French firefighters said.
The aftershock, occurring six days after a massive earthquake ravaged the region in the northeast of the country, claiming at least 2,200 lives, had the same epicenter of Zemmoria, some 70 km east of Algiers, state radio said. Last week's tremor, with a force of 6.8, left the minaret of the little fishing town's only mosque tilting precariously; yesterday it crashed to the ground said from the scene. In Reghaia, three people were believed to gone into a 15- story building that had been vacated following the May 21 quake in search of belongings when it collapsed, interior ministry secretary general Mohamed Kandil said earlier.

Hundreds perished last week when a 10-story building collapsed in Reghaia, 30 kilometers east of Algiers.

The building, with a footprint the size of a football field, had 100 apartments, and most people were at home at 7:44 pm (local time), many about to tune in to a major football match on television.

Fifty-seven were reported injured in Boumerdes, a city some 50 km from the capital that was the worst hit a week ago, mourning more than 1,000 residents.

Bureau Report