Page 929 - Disaster Accident
Powerful 7.9 Alaska earthquake prompts tsunami alert
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck the Gulf of Alaska in the US on Tuesday, prompting a tsunami warning along the coastline that urged people in the affected areas to head to higher ground.
Alaska earthquake prompts tsunami warning; no wave reported
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.2 struck off Alaska's Kodiak Island early today, prompting a tsunami warning for a large swath of coastal Alaska and Canada's British Columbia while the remainder of the US West Coast was under a watch. The strong earthquake hit at 12:32 am (local time) and was recorded about 175 miles southeast of Kodiak Island. Warnings from the National Weather Service sent to cellphones in Alaska warned: "Emergency Alert. Tsunami danger on the coast. Go to high ground or move inland." Kodiak officials warned residents to evacuate if they lived in low-lying areas. About two hours after the quake, the city of Kodiak, which was projected to see the first wave at about 1:45 am (local time), still had no reports of a wave hitting. Lt. Tim Putney of the Kodiak Police Department said: "We haven't seen anything yet or had any reports of a wave." However, officials were telling people to hold fast at evacuation centres until further notice. He ...
Quake shakes Indonesia's Java, students injured
A moderately strong earthquake shook the Indonesian island of Java today, damaging hundreds of homes and seriously injuring six students at a school where a roof collapsed. According to the US Geological Survey, the magnitude 6.0 quake was centered off western Java at a depth of about 43 kilometres. The epicenter was about 153 kilometres southwest of Jakarta, the capital. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said in a statement that six high school students suffered serious injuries and two sustained minor injuries from falling roof tiles at their school in the Cianjur area of West Java. It said hundreds of homes were damaged as well as some mosques and hospitals. The agency said it was still assessing the full extent of the damage. Buildings in Jakarta swayed for 10 to 20 seconds and some ordered evacuations, sending streams of people into the streets. TVOne television showed workers and shoppers running out of a mall in central Jakarta in panic. Witnesses told ...
CBI begins probe into Rs 487 cr coal import scam
The CBI has begun a probe into an alleged scam of Rs 487 crore related to over-valuation of inferior quality of coal imported from Indonesia which was passed on to NTPC and Arvali Power Corporation as superior quality in collusion with officials. The action of the agency came on the basis of a Directorate of Revenue Intelligence investigation which had shown over-invoicing in the imports between 2011-12 and 2014- 15, officials said today. The CBI FIR is against Ahmed A R Buhari, promoter of Coastal Energy Private Limited, Chennai and unidentified officials of National Thermal Power Corporation, Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation, Aravali Power Company Pvt Ltd. The agency booked them under the charges of criminal conspiracy cheating and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, the officials said. According to the modus operandi given in the FIR, the NTPC and Aravali Power Corporation Limitedhad floated global tenders for the supply of imported coal of a certain ...
CBI files case in Rs 487 cr coal import scam
The CBI has registered a case against certain officials of NTPC, MMTC, APCPL and a private energy firm on charges of cheating the exchequer of Rs 487 crore by importing inferior quality coal from 2011-12 to 2014-15, an official said on Tuesday.
London gas leak: Over 1000 evacuated
About 1,450 people have been evacuated from a nearby hotel and nightclub after a gas main ruptured in central London.Londons's Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations were shut, with services diverted into Victoria, Cannon Street and Blackfriars after the incident.Waterloo East station was also closed because trains were unable to turn around on that stretch of a line before reaching Charing Cross, reported the Guardian.London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called to the scene after high levels of natural gas were detected at the scene in Craven Street near Charing Cross station.As reported, the police cordon in the area may not be lifted for another four to five hours.One witness described "chaos" at the Heaven nightclub, beneath Charing Cross station, as doormen ordered visitors to leave after the alarm was raised, reported the Guardian.One clubber tweeted, "Evacuated from heaven because of a gas leak wow. Literally chaos. Crush on the stairs. Security being knocked aside."The ...
Bus, truck collision kills 5 in Pakistan
At least five people were killed and 15 others injured on Tuesday in a collision between a bus and a truck in Pakistan's port city Karachi.
China to build 'super expressway'
China will build an "intelligent" super expressway, enabling increased safety and higher average traffic speeds, in east China's Zhejiang province by 2022, authorities said on Tuesday.
8.2 magnitude quake hits off Alaska: USGS
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 8.2 struck off the southern coast of Alaska early today, prompting tsunami warnings. The quake struck at 0931 GMT in the Gulf of Alaska, 280 kilometers southeast of the town of Kodiak, the US Geological Survey said. The epicenter was 10 kilometers under the seabed. Tsunami warnings were issued for Alaska and the west coast of Canada, the National Tsunami Warning Center said. Less-ominous tsunami watches were issued for the US west coast -- the entire coasts of California and Oregon and part of Washington state. In Alaska, authorities urged coast dwellers to seek safety. "If you are located in this coastal area, move inland to higher ground," the Anchorage Office of Emergency Management said. "Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant inundation is possible or is already occurring. Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time. The first wave may not be the largest.
8.2 magnitude earthquake jolts Alaska
A strong earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter Scale struck 300-km south-east of Kodiak, Alaska at a depth of 10-km on Tuesday.The United States Geological Survey said a tsunami alert has been issued and the U.S. west coast and Hawaii are under the watch.The NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that, based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, "widespread hazardous tsunami waves were possible".People in the affected areas are being told to seek refuge on higher grounds.However, there are no reports of damage so far.
Huge 8.2 earthquake hits Alaska
An earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale jolted the southern Alaskan coast in the US on Tuesday, prompting a tsunami warning along the coastline.
Hotel evacuated, stations closed after London gas leak
Almost 1,500 people were evacuated from a hotel and night club in central London overnight and two train stations were closed following a gas leak, authorities said today. "A ruptured gas main was discovered using detection equipment and high levels of natural gas were detected in the atmosphere," a London Fire Brigade spokesman said. "As a precaution, approximately 1,450 people have been evacuated. They are from a hotel and a night club." Charing Cross and Waterloo East train stations, which brings commuters into the capital, were also closed, while Tube trains were not stopping at Charing Cross. The Strand, a major road running from Trafalgar Square to Waterloo Bridge, was also closed and people were asked to avoid the area. The Fire Brigade said they did not yet know the cause of the gas leak, but engineers were attending. A spokesman for the Cadent Gas company said: "We are working with the emergency services and as a safety precaution an exclusion zone has been put ..
Samsung India ties up with transport ministry for road safety
Samsung India today said it has tied up with the Union transport ministry for its 'Safe India' campaign to promote responsible use of smartphones on roads. The company has also joined hands with Delhi traffic police to create awareness on road safety in the city through LED walls, text LED scroll bars and LED public display at prominent areas, Samsung India said in a statement. As part of the campaign, Delhi traffic police will put up posters at select 'No Selfie' zones in city. "Irresponsible usage of mobile phones, including taking selfies on the road, is one of the major causes of road accidents," Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said. The company said two trucks will be mounted with LFD screens and will play videos on responsible usage of smartphones while skits talking about the issue will be organised at select universities, colleges and malls in Delhi. Citing reports by various universities, Samsung India said not only does India have ...
No fresh ceasefire violation along IB, LoC
Calm prevailed along the Line of Control and the International Border today with no fresh ceasefire violation by Pakistan reported since yesterday. The lull in firing came as a relief for border residents who have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. Twelve persons, including five security personnel, have been killed and over 70 others injured in intense shelling by Pakistan along the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts and LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts last week. "There is no ceasefire violation reported from anywhere along the IB and the LoC since yesterday, police and BSF officials said. The situation along the borders is peaceful but tense, they said. The ceasefire violations by Pakistan started on January 18 and continued unabated all along the 449 km stretch from Kathua to Poonch-Rajouri till5 amyesterday. Hundreds of border dwellers have migrated from their homes and are camping in relief centres set up by the government at various ...
Four of marriage party killed in Rampurhat, six injured
Four persons of a marriage party were killed and six others, including a newly-wed couple, severely injured after their vehicle collided head-on with a truck on National Highway 60 today early morning. All the four, including the driver of the marriage party vehicle, died on the spot, police said. The deceased were identified as 32-year-old Basanta Hazra, 58-year-old Labanya Pramanik, 24-year-old Prahlad Let and 25-year-old Biplab Let, the police said. Hazra was the driver of the vehicle, a police officer said. The bridegroom and three others were sent to Burdwan Medical College in serious condition, he said. The bride and another injured person were admitted to Rampurhat hospital, he added.
6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia
An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter Scale rattled Indonesia, sparking off panic in capital Jakarta.According to The Jakarta Post, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the tremor hit Banten about 81 kilometres southwest of the provincial city of Lebak at a depth of 10 kilometres.Reports say buildings shook and motorbike riders were thrown off by its force.However, no tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.Last month, at least three persons had died and seven others were wounded after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck a holiday island popular with British tourists off the coast of Java in Indonesia.
Volcano eruption, avalanche at Japan ski resort kills one
A Japanese soldier was killed today after a volcano erupted near a popular Japanese ski resort, sparking an avalanche that left several injured and scores stranded up a mountain, officials said. Footage broadcast on Japanese television showed thick black smoke interspersed with falling rocks rolling down the snow-covered side of the volcano towards a ski slope. "One of the six members of the Self Defence Forces (injured in the incident) has died after being caught up in an avalanche," a defence ministry spokesman told AFP. The ministry had earlier said that six infantry personnel who had been on a training mission on Mt. Kusatsu Shirane, northwest of Tokyo, were hit by the avalanche but had been rescued. The falling rocks kicked clouds of snow into the air as they made impact. "Black smoke rose from the top of the mountain and we were told to evacuate inside 30 minutes later," a man who was at the ski resort told public broadcaster NHK. "About 100 people have been ...
1 dead in volcanic eruption, avalanche in Japan
A soldier died and at least 10 people were injured on Tuesday at a ski resort in central Japan following a volcanic eruption and simultaneous avalanche, authorities said.
Strong quake rocks Jakarta, 6.0 magnitude: USGS
Indonesia's capital Jakarta was rocked today by a strong earthquake which forced some buildings to be evacuated, but there was no immediate tsunami threat or reported injuries, a government agency said. The United States Geological Survey said the 6.0 magnitude quake struck at a depth of 43 kilometres. That contrasted with an initial report from the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics agency, which said the quake had a 6.4 magnitude at a shallower 10 kilometre depth. The epicentre was off the coast, about 130 kilometres southwest of the sprawling city. Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. At least three people were killed following a 6.5- magnitude earthquake just outside the coastal town of Cipatujah on Java island in mid-December. The tremor was felt across the densely populated island, causing damage to hundreds of houses and other buildings. An earthquake struck ...
O P Singh takes charge as Uttar Pradesh DGP
O P Singh, a 1983-batch IPS officer, assumed office as the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police today. Singh, who arrived here this morning, was received by officials at the airport. "The new DGP has taken over the charge and will be interacting with the media later in the day," DGP, PRO Rahul Srivastava said. Singh was relieved as the CISF chief on Sunday. The post of the UP DGP has been lying vacant for over a fortnight after Sulkhan Singh retired on December 31. Singh, a gallantry medal winner, had been heading the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) since September, 2016 and is given the credit for ushering in some major changes in the work profile and operations of the force, especially in the aviation sector. Under his initiative last year, the force did away with the traditional system of putting tags on air passengers' hand baggage, a move seen as a major game changer in the airport security domain. He also initiated simpler flying procedures for ...