A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Honduras in the early hours of yesterday morning, killing six people and injuring a dozen people. At least four of the
people killed were children between the ages 3 and 15.
The 7.1 magnitude tremor seriously damaged a bridge and dozens of houses and blocked some roads.
The epicentre was out
in to sea, to the north of the Caribbean island of Roatan. But the tremor was felt as far away as Mexico. It is said to be the strongest earthquake to hit Honduras in ten years.
The
initial tremor lasted for around 40 seconds and aftershocks were felt in the following hours.
Caritas is currently assessing its plan of action. In many cases, Caritas is active in the
long-haul period of recovery following natural disasters in which it provides aid and moral support to people who have been affected.
Last year, Caritas President, Cardinal Oscar
Rodriguez Maradiaga, himself a Honduran national, was presented with an award by the Peruvian Government in recognition of his work to help those affected by Peru’s 2007 earthquake.
For more information, please contact Michelle Hough on +39 06 69879721/+39 334 2344136 or hough@caritas.va
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Honduras President Manuel Zelaya walks outside the court of justice building after an earthquake in San Pedro Sula May 28, 2009. A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook Honduras on Thursday, killing ...
