Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-08-11

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - Earth tremors

[02] Earthquake - Interior Minister

[03] Hospital - Injuries - Earthquake

[04] Cyprus - Solar Eclipse

[05] Interior Minister - Earthquake - Damages

0830:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - Earth tremors

So far, there have been reports of rock slides in areas west of Limassol and slight damages to homes. There have been no reports of injuries.

The Seismological Centre was not available for comments, nor has it announced the intensity of the quakes.

CNA RG/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1015:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Earthquake - Interior Minister

The epicentre of the earthquake was the area of Gerasas, north of the southern coastal town of Limassol.

An earlier tremor measuring 4,2 on the Richter scale happened at 4.20 a.m. local time and was felt mainly in Limassol.

An officer at the Seismological Centre told the CNA that "there were and shall be more earth tremors" for a few more hours.

Interior Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou has gone to Limassol to preside over a meeting at the local district office aiming at coordinating efforts to tackle any consequences from the earthquake.

CNA RG/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1245:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Hospital - Injuries - Earthquake

In Limassol, the town jolted the most, a Hospital First Aid spokesman told the CNA that two persons suffered fractures when they jumped from the first floor of a building, in an effort to escape. Others were taken to the hospital in a state of shock.

A Police spokesman told the CNA that there were numerous reports of damages to homes in the Limassol district, on the southern coast.

The earthquake epicentre was the area of Gerases, north of Limassol. Interior Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou presided over a meeting at the Limassol District Court to coordinate efforts to tackle damages from the earthquake.

Christodoulou was also scheduled to visit areas affected. Cyprus is located in a seismic zone and earthquakes are common. In October 1996, the island was hit by a quake measuring 6,3 on the Richter scale.

In February 1995, two people were killed in an earthquake measuring 5, 7 on the Richter scale, when the roof of their home caved in, in the western Paphos district.

Other tremors in recent years have caused little damage and no loss of life.

CNA RG/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1420:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus - Solar Eclipse

Cypriots will not be able to enjoy a total eclipse as it is expected that 86 per cent of the sun will be covered by the shadow of the moon.

According to the Meteorological Department the sun will come out of the shadow of the moon by 15.53 local time.

The public has been repeatedly warned of the dangers of attempting to watch the eclipse with a naked eye and has been urged to watch the phenomenon on TV or by using special glasses.

All local TV stations are broadcasting special programmes on the eclipse with commentaries by astronomers and other specialists on the subject.

Optical Centres selling special eclipse glasses, sold out a few days ago.

CNA MCH/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1435:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Interior Minister - Earthquake - Damages

Speaking after a meeting at the Limassol District Office, Christodoulou said some houses that are in danger of collapsing will be evacuated today to allow repair work to start.

The earthquake, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, occurred at 7.27 am local time (0427 GMT). Its epicentre was land-based, in the region of Gerasas, north of the southern coastal town of Limassol but it was also felt throughout the island.

The Interior Minister said there were cracks and other slight damages in a number of houses in over six villages in the Limassol district and the town itself. There were also landslides in the region.

Christodoulou said workers from the Public Works Department are clearing the roads from the sand and stones.

The minister said houses will be evacuated today and work will begin on homes that can be repaired, while tomorrow assessment of the damages will begin.

"The government has instructed that work begins the soonest, using funds available for such occasions," he added.

He praised all departments involved as well as the District Office for coordinating efforts to deal with the situation.

The minister described their work in implementing an emergency plan for such occasions as "satisfactory and sufficient".

Christodoulou said all minor injuries were due to panic as people tried to leave their homes during the tremour. No one, however was seriously injured.

Around 25 people went for treatment to Limassol General Hospital's First Aid department and only two who suffered fractures after they jumped off the first floor of buildings in an effort to escape, were kept in for medical care.

The Interior Minister also visited Linopetra suburb to assess the damage and speak to the locals.

Meanwhile, in a press release the Limassol District Office warned the public not to panic.

CNA MA/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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