Authorities urge calm as GST probes Kagera tremor

KAGERA: AUTHORITIES in Kagera Region have urged residents to remain calm following a 5.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the area yesterday morning, as the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST) investigates the tremor, with no casualties reported so far.

The earthquake occurred at around 5:23 am, shaking buildings and reviving memories of the devastating 5.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the region in September 2016, killing 17 people and damaging homes and public infrastructure.

Speaking to the ‘Daily News’, Senior Geologist and Head of the Natural Disasters Unit at GST, Mr Gabriel Mbogoni, said investigations were underway to establish the characteristics and possible causes of the latest tremor.

He said further tremors could occur because natural geological processes remained active, although earthquakes could not be predicted with certainty.

“Earthquakes cannot be predicted. We are still investigating this morning’s earthquake and the possibility of further tremors cannot be ruled out,” he said.