OCHA Situation Report No. 1
East Africa: Earthquake
5 December 2005


DRC, Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda
Earthquake - Lake Tanganyika

This report is based on information received from the OCHA offices in 
Kampala, Burundi and Nairobi.

Situation

1. An earthquake measuring between 6.3- 6.8, with a depth of 10 kms in 
Lake Tanganyika region, occurred in the Great Lakes Region in East 
Africa on 5 December at about 12:19:55(UTC). From Congo-Tanzania it 
covered distances from: 55 kms SE of Kalemie in DRC, 150 kms South of 
Kigoma in Tanzania, 975 kms South West of Nairobi, Kenya. 1590 kms East 
of Kinshasa in DRC.

2. The epicentre is located in KUNGWE and KIDWESA, two villages situated 
near the Lake Tanganika in Tanzania. In North and South Kivu the 
magnitude felt was 4.2.

3. According to preliminary information received from the region, it was 
felt in DRC, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. There are reports of 
unconfirmed deaths, injuries and damage to property in Kabalo, Manono 
and Kalemie. Assessment teams have been dispatched to the affected 
areas. There are also fears that there could be casualties in smaller 
towns on the eastern side of Lake Tanganyika, distanced at 15 to 20 km 
from the epicentre. The tremor was also felt strongly as far as Nairobi. 
The quake also sent panicked people running from buildings in Kigoma, 
the main Tanzanian transport hub on the shores of Lake Tanganyika about 
90 miles from the epicenter.

4. The OCHA Office in Kampala reports that there was commotion this 
afternoon in some parts of the city arising from tremors. People were 
hurriedly forced to evacuate tall buildings. The department of Mines and 
Geological survey at Entebbe, near Kampala was contacted but did not 
have any specific details.

5. While additional information is still being sought from regarding the 
situation on the ground, there are concerns of poisonous gas emissions 
from the ground of the lake. There are also fears of the possibility 
that the quake might have caused landslides.

Response

6. The OCHA Office in Kalemie is in the process of gathering information 
on the level of assistance required. There appears to be some damage but 
the extent still remains unknown.

7. In the meantime OCHA Geneva will remain in contact with the Regional 
and field offices in the affected countries and will revert with further 
information as it becomes available.

8. This situation report, together with further information on other 
ongoing emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at 
http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel.   +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officer:
  Mr. Alfred Nabeta
    direct Tel. +41-22-917 2732
    E-mail: nabeta@un.org
  Mr. Jamie McGoldrick
    direct Tel. +41-22-917 1712
    E-mail: mcgoldrickj@un.org

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917-367 51 26

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