An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter Scale hit the northern
region of Algeria around 60 kilometres east of the capital Algiers,
at 19:44 local time on 21 May 2003. The quake, Algeria’s worst in
more than 20 years was felt as far away as Spain. According to reports
the death toll currently stands at more than 1,092 with officials
warning that the death toll will certainly increase as there are many
hundreds of people still unaccounted for. Local residents are joining
rescue teams in a race against time to free those who are still trapped
beneath the rubble.
Hospitals throughout the quake zone are swamped by casualties and
unable to cope with the situation. Many of the injured are receiving
treatment in the open air.
Thousands of people rendered homeless by the quake have spent the
second night in the open air, with power lines and water supplies
to many areas till cut. The total extent of the damages caused by
the quake are still unknown.
ACT has no operational members in Algeria, however we are trying
to contact WCC member the Protestant Church of Algeria, but
this is proving difficult as all communication lines have been disrupted.
