DRC: At least 6 dead in 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Bukavu

At least 6 people have been killed and several wounded after a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday evening.

The earthquake struck at exactly 17:11 GMT at the town in the South Kivu region near the border with Rwanda, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Africanews correspondent in the country, Gael Mpoyo, reported that there was an earlier quake of 4.5 magnitude on the Richter scale an hour earlier. Also, an aftershock was felt Saturday morning at 03:20 GMT.

“A wall fell on two people at the Independence Square on the stairs leading to Pageco. Sources at the Biopharm Hospital also say they recorded 4 dead that night,” Gael added.

Several houses were reportedly cracked and damaged including churches, schools, vehicles and other property.

There was panic as families who sought refuge in the open were forced to return into their cracked houses at the onset of a heavy rain an hour before midnight.

The government has advised the people to remain calm.

The tremors were also felt in Kalehe, Kabare and Walungu at Kamanyola in the Ruzizi plains.

In August last year, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit the same town killing 3 people with 30 others wounded.

Tanzania also recorded 5.7 magnitude earthquake on September 10, 2016 recording at least 19 deaths and over 300 injured.