Powerful 5.8 magnitude Earthquake hits Algeria

A moderately high earthquake at 5.8 magnitude has hit north-eastern Algeria on Sunday according to the Center for Research in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics (CRAAG).

The tremor hit at 8.11 pm local time (1911GMT), with its epicenter detected around 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) southeast of Negrine in Tebessa province, CRAAG said.

Algeria’s Civil Protection Department announced in a statement that there were no fatalities or material damage recorded so far and assessment operations are underway in the area.

Algeria has suffered a number of powerful earthquakes throughout its history.

In 2003, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Boumerdes province and northern Algeria, caused the death of 1,300 people and brought massive damage to homes and infrastructure.

Another powerful quake struck Chlef in 1980, registering 7.3 magnitude. It killed at least 2,633 people, injured thousands and destroyed much of the and its surroundings.

Moreover, the earthquake caused tsunami which harmed the sea infrastructure of Algeria. The overall damage from quake was approximately $5.2 billion, which was 22% of Algeria's GDP at the time. 

Earlier, in 1954 a Chlef earthquake measured 6.7 in magnitude and resulted in more than 1,243 casualities, more than 5,000 injuries and extensive destruction.

Both Chlef quakes had the same epicenter and were the strongest in Atlas Rings since 1790.

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