Onek assesses earthquake devastation

PIC: Minister of disaster preparedness and refugees, Hilary Onek

The minister of disaster preparedness and refugees, Hilary Onek and a technical team have visited Rakai district to assess the devastation caused by Saturday's earthquake.

State minister, Musa Ecweru said Wednesday that they went to assess the magnitude of the problem so that they could respond.

The district has sought assistance for more than 320 families that are currently stranded following Saturday's earthquake, earlier reports said.

The most affected sub-counties include Kakuuto, Kibanda, Kifamba and Kyebe, according to district authorities.

Some of the affected people asked the government to urgently provide them with tents for accommodation.

At least 16 people died and over 250 injured in a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck northwest Tanzania and was felt throughout the great Lakes Region.

The quake's epicenter was 23 kilometres (15 miles) east of the northwestern Tanzanian town of Nsunga, in Bukoba district, and was felt in Rwanda, Burundi,Uganda and Kenya, the US Geological Survey said.

Bukoba city suffered widespread damage, with 270 houses destroyed and electricity disrupted, the Red Cross said in a statement.