Highlights
An earthquake with magnitude 5,9 and a depth of 40 km hit the border area between Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda on 10th September.
16 persons reported dead and 170 hospitalized.
840 buildings destroyed and 1,264 damaged
Damage assessment still ongoing
No request for assistance received
16 fatalities reported
840 buildings destroyed
1,264 buildings damaged
3 schools destroyed
5,9 magnitude
40 km depth
Situation Overview
An earthquake with the magnitude of 5,9 (revised from initially reported 5,7) on the Richter scale, and at a depth of 40km (revised from initially reported 10km) hit the border area between Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda on 10th September at 15:27 local time. The epicenter was to the east of the north-western town of Nsunga on the border of Lake Victoria and triggered a green GDACS alert. The earthquake is considered 7.99 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale1 which is between very strong and severe. See footnote below for explanations. The earthquake also caused damages in Uganda, with at least 4 people killed and over a hundred buildings destroyed (The Observer).
A stronger aftershock was felt in Bukoba at 22.15 on 11th September but there are no reports of further damaged caused by this.
Damage assessment is still ongoing and the State Minister will meet with the Regional Disaster Management Committed early evening 12th to discuss if an emergency will be declared and if international assistance will be requested.