Page 84 - Disaster Accident
Niger tanker truck blast toll rises to 76
The death toll from a May 6 tanker truck explosion near the international airport in Niger's capital has risen to 76, state television reported late Sunday. An earlier official report Tuesday gave 60 dead, including 55 who died at the time of the explosion a few hundred metres (yards) from the airport in Niamey. Most of the victims were trying to collect spilt fuel flowing from the overturned truck when the blast occurred. About 40 people were injured. Security official Hamani Adamou Abdoul-Aziz had earlier warned that the toll was likely to rise as several people had sustained severe, life-threatening burns. The driver of the truck has told investigators that an electrical failure caused him to lose control of the vehicle and its brakes. The truck overturned by the railway track as he was trying to stop it and people then rushed to collect petrol spilling from the vehicle. According to witnesses, a motorcyclist who had filled his cans tried to restart his bike, which caused a spark ..
Odisha: Cyclone Fani death toll rises to 64
The death toll in Odisha due to cyclone Fani has touched 64 with Puri recording the maximum number of casualties at 39 according to official estimates released by the Odisha government on Saturday.Puri was followed by Khordha (9), Cuttack (6), Jajpur (4), Mayurbhanj (4) and Kendrapada (3) in the casualty list.According to government data, livestock casualties are over 34 lakhs and over one crore sixty five lakh people were adversely affected by 'Fani' in the state.Massive damage to power infrastructure in the state particularly in the districts of Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, and Kendrapada has also been reported. 5030 Kilometers of 33 KV lines, 38613 Km of 11 KV lines, 64304 distribution transformers, and 79485 Km of LT lines are reportedly damaged across the state."In Puri district, extensive damages have occurred to kutcha houses. As per report received so far 1,89,095 houses damaged in Puri. Structures of temporary street vendors have been completely damaged. 160 people injured and ...
Cyclone Fani: Police personnel, general public from Gajapati donate over Rs 6 Lakhs to CM Relief Fund
In a unique gesture, highlighting the police-public coordination for "public good", police officers, staff of the district along with general public under the leadership of Superintendent of Police (SP) Sarah Sharma have contributed Rs 6,14,076 to the Chief Ministers' Relief Fund (CMRF).Sarah Sharma handed over the cheque to the Principal Secretary, General Administration and Public Grievances, SN Girish at his office on Sunday."In humble response to the call of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the police personnel of the district have contributed from their own salary and the people have contributed voluntarily from their own earning for utilization in restoration and relief works through CMRF in the areas severely affected by the monstrous cyclone Fani," Sarah Sharma said talking about their contribution.Over one crore and sixty-five lakh people got affected by the cyclone in the state and death toll has touched 43 with Puri, recording the maximum number of casualties at 21.Massive ...
138 tribal schools affected by Cyclone Fani: Odisha govt
Around 138 tribal schools of Odisha have been affected due to Cyclone Fani, Sanjay Singh, secretary, Information and PR department said.He also informed that the Tribal Museum of Bhubaneswar which was damaged due to the Cyclone has been renovated with a cost of Rs 1.9 crores."It is open for tourist now," Singh said on Sunday.Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced housing package for people affected due to cyclone 'Fani', stating that all families whose houses are completely or substantially damaged in the extremely severe cyclone will be sanctioned pucca houses."House damage assessment will begin from 15th May and will be completed within a week. In all the cyclone-affected blocks senior officers will be appointed to supervise the assessment process," Patnaik said in an official statement.Cyclone Fani which made landfall in Puri district left a massive trail of destruction in Odisha.
Earthquake in Panama leaves five injured, minor damage
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Panama on Sunday, injuring at least five people and causing damage to businesses and homes, officials said. The strong quake struck at a depth of 37 kilometres in the far west of the country near the Costa Rican border, according to the US Geological Survey. The National Civil Protection System, or Sinaproc, said five people were hurt and four homes were damaged in the quake, which hit 22 km from the town of Puerto Armuelles. President Juan Carlos Varela said on Twitter earlier that just one person was hurt, in Puerto Armuelles. He reported damage to homes and businesses in the Central American nation. Two of the damaged homes collapsed, Sinaproc added. There was no tsunami alert issued from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. In November 2017, a 6.5-magnitude quake on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica left buildings swaying in the capital San Jose and contributed to the deaths of two people who had heart attacks. Further north, two months earlier in ...
Panama: 6.2 magnitude earthquake hits David city
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake on Sunday rattled David city in Panama, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported.The earthquake hit 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Panama's coastal and second largest city of David, reported Sputnik.According to the USGS, the quake struck at a depth of about 12 miles (19km). No casualties or damage has been reported yet. (ANI)Earthquake of 6.2 magnitudes is considered strong and capable of causing severe damage.
Strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake hits Panama: USGS
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Panama on Sunday near the border with Costa Rica, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The quake struck at a depth of 37 kilometres in the far west of the country and the closest town was Santa Cruz, about five km away, it said. There was no tsunami alert issued from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and USGS said there was a low likelihood of casualties and damage. In November 2017, a 6.5-magnitude quake on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica left buildings swaying in the capital San Jose and contributed to the deaths of two people who had heart attacks. Further north, two months earlier in September 2017, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed more than 300 people in Mexico.
Central teams arrives in Odisha to assess damage by cyclone Fani
A nine-member central team reached Odisha on Sunday to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Fani that ravaged the state's coastal districts on May 3 and left 64 dead. The inter-ministerial team is being led by Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Vivek Bharadwaj. Before beginning the on-the-spot assessment in the affected areas on Monday, the team members will be briefed by Special Relief Commissioner B P Sethi. The team will be split into two groups. They will visit Puri and Khurda districts, the worst affected by the cyclone, on May 13 and 14. They will visit some of the affected areas in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation area on May 15 before holding a meeting with senior state government officials, including Chief Secretary A P Padhi. After completing the visit, the team will submit its report to the Centre, an official said. About 14 lakh trees, including thousands of coconut and mango trees, were uprooted by cyclone Fani. The cyclone has also destroyed ...
UAE reports rare 'acts of sabotage' against 4 boats off its coast
The United Arab Emirates said Sunday four merchant vessels had been targeted by "acts of sabotage" in Gulf waters off its coast. "Four commercial, civilian trading vessels of various nationalities this morning suffered acts of sabotage" off the UAE's eastern coast, its foreign ministry said in a statement. It did not name who was responsible, but warned that "carrying out acts of sabotage on commercial and civilian vessels and threatening the safety and lives of those on board is a serious development". Nobody was harmed during the incident, the ministry said. It called on world powers to help keep maritime traffic safe.
One should tour region to know drought woes: Pawar taunts CM
NCP chief Sharad Pawar Sunday took a dig at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying the severity of drought in the state cannot be understood by making phone calls alone, and those in power should tour the region and meet people to know their woes. Pawar's statement comes in the wake of Fadnavis holding a dialogue with collectors, sarpanchs (village heads) from different parts of the state through "audio bridge" technology on mobile phone to discuss issues related to drought. During his dialogue, the chief minister gave several directions to the officials, including starting works under the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) in the drought-affected areas, and according sanction to such works within three days. "Anyone can seek information by making phone calls. But politicians in power should tour the region and meet people to understand their problems," Pawar said in Satara where he met people facing severe water scarcity. "I am going to seek an appointment ..
Chemical leak kills three workers of company in Palghar
Chemical leak at an industrial unit in Palghar district resulted in the death of three workers on Sunday, police said. The incident took place around 4 pm at the unit, a chemical company, in Boisar MIDC of Tarapur, when work of filling the chemical was on, an official said. After being alerted about the leak, the fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation and the unit was vacated, he said. "The workers apparently died due to the reaction of the chemical," Janardan Prabhkar, senior inspector of Boisar police station told PTI. The deceased were identified as Prabhakar Khadse (59), Dattatraya Ghule (25), and Raghunath Gorai (25), an official said. The exact cause of the deaths will be ascertained after the post-mortem, he said. "The chemical that had got leaked is being identified," the official said.
5.1 magnitude quake hits western Nepal
A moderate intensity earthquake of 5.1 magnitude hit the western Nepal in the wee hours of Sunday, but there was no immediate report of damage to the property or any casualty, officials said. The epicentre of the quake, which was recorded at around 0036 hours on Sunday, was in Dailekh district, about 600 km west of Kathmandu, according to the National Seismological Centre. The tremor was also felt in Kathmandu, it said, adding there was no immediate report of any casualty or damage to the property.
Sonowal visits Majuli, inspects work to prevent erosion
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Sunday expressed "dissatisfaction" over the quality of work done by Brahmaputra Board to prevent erosion during flood season in Majuli island, an official said. Holding a meeting with senior officials, Sonowal directed them to take stern action against erring officials for the poor quality of works in Majuli, the world's largest river island, which is prone to severe flood every year. Sonowal visited the erosion hit Bhakat Chapori village in Majuli to inspect the protection work done with geo bags by the Brahmaputra Board and expressed "displeasure" over the quality of the project work, a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. The Chief Minister said that the safety and security of the people are of paramount importance and under no circumstances, his government will tolerate any deviation of that. He informed that the Brahmaputra Board will again undertake restoration work of the affected areas within two weeks ...
Cyclone Fani toll across Odisha rises up to 64
The toll due to Cyclone Fani, which left a trail of destruction and devastation through coastal Odisha as it hit the state on May 3, has increased to 64, a official report said on Sunday.
Cyclone Fani: Toll in Odisha rises to 64
The toll in Odisha due to cyclone 'Fani' sharply rose to 64, with 21 fresh casualties confirmed by the state government on Sunday. The 'extremely severe' cyclonic storm, which made landfall in Puri with wind speed of up to 240 kmph on May 3, has left at least 241 people injured, an official said. The toll, which was 43 till Saturday, rose to 64, as 18 more casualties were reported from the worst-hit Puri district and four more from Khurda district. However, the Odisha government, which had earlier put the toll in Jajpur at four, brought the number of casualties due to the cyclone in the district down to three on Sunday. The highest number of 39 deaths were reported from Puri district, followed by nine in Khurda district, six in Cuttack district, four in Mayurbhanj, and three each from Kendrapara and Jajpur district, an official at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said. Of the 64 deaths, 25 were due to wall collapse, 20 more were crushed under uprooted trees and six died of
Odisha CM announces housing package for people affected due to cyclone "Fani"
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday announced housing package for people affected due to cyclone 'Fani', stating that all families whose houses are completely or substantially damaged in the extremely severe cyclone will be sanctioned pucca houses."House damage assessment will begin from 15th May and will be completed within a week. In all the cyclone-affected blocks senior officers will be appointed to supervise the assessment process," Patnaik said in an official statement."Work order distribution to beneficiaries will begin from June 1. I assure that all efforts will be put so that not a single eligible person will be left out," he added.Speaking to ANI, Patnaik asked people to donate generously for rebuilding the state which got badly damaged by cyclone Fani."Cyclone Fani has damaged our state, but not our spirits. Please donate generously to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to rebuild Odisha," he said.To the question of measures taken to rebuild the state, Patnaik ...
Myanmar plane lands without front wheel
A Myanmar National Airlines plane with 89 people on board made an emergency landing at Mandalay International Airport on Sunday, with only its rear wheels after the front landing gear failed to deploy.
3 persons killed, 6 injured in road accident in Banaskantha
Three persons, including a two-year-old girl, were Sunday killed and six others injured after the sports utility vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a three-vehicle crash in Gujarat's Banaskantha district, police said. The incident happened near Ratanpur village in the district's Palanpur taluka, an official said. "A family from Palanpur was on their way to Ambaji to visit a temple. Their SUV, a jeep loaded with sound systems and another one with cattle collided. The SUV overturned, killing three persons and injuring six others, two of them grievously," a Palanpur taluka police station official said. He identified the deceased as Devendra Saini (55), Godavariben Saini (75) and Bhavya (2). Two of the seriously injured persons have been shifted to a hospital in Ahmedabad, he said.
Mumbai: 15-yr-old dies after building catches fire in Dadar
A 15-year-old girl died in a fire that broke out in a building at Dadar Police Station Compound, Dadar (West) on Sunday."When the fire broke out, 15 years old Shravani Chavan was alone and the house was locked from outside, as we (parents) were out to attend a marriage ceremony," victim's mother said.According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), the fire broke out around 1:44 PM on the third floor of a building at Dadar police station compound.Eight fire tenders were pressed into action to douse the fire.The cause of the fire is still unknown and an investigation is underway to ascertain the cause.
One killed in fire at apartment in police station compound
A teenaged girl was killed after a fire broke out at an apartment in a police station compound in suburban Dadar on Sunday, officials said. The blaze erupted around 1.45 pm in one of the quarters on third floor of the fire-storey building located in the police station compound, an official at Dadar police station said. The victim, Shravani Chavan (16), was sleeping inside a room in the apartment and was unable to come out to safety when the fire engulfed the premises, an official at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's control room said. She received serious injuries in the incident and was rushed to the civic-run Sion Hospital where doctors declared her dead before admission, he said. Her is posted as police naik at the Vakola police station here, another official said. Several electrical wirings, installations and household items were also gutted in the fire, he said. Four fire engines and three jumbo water tankers were rushed to the spot. The fire brigade personnel