Rescue efforts continue after Bolivian quake

At least 60 dead, 100 missing in remote region

May 22, 1998
Web posted at: 11:23 p.m. EDT (0323 GMT)

LA PAZ, Bolivia (CNN) -- Rescue workers are battling landslides and aftershocks to reach a remote area of Bolivia heavily damaged by two powerful earthquakes early Friday morning.

Bolivia's civil defense chief, Gen. Luis Montero, said at least 60 people were killed, including at least 10 sleeping children. More than 100 others were missing, he said.

Two earthquakes struck the country's central Carrasco province 13 minutes apart shortly after 12:30 a.m. (0430 GMT). The first quake had a magnitude of 5.9; the second registered at 6.8 on the open-ended Richter scale. Quakes of that magnitude are strong enough to cause severe damage in populated areas.

Historical areas destroyed

Particularly hard hit were Aiquile and Totora, colonial towns that have been declared national historical monuments, where housing is made mostly of traditional adobe bricks.

Montero said about 80 percent of the houses in Aiquile were destroyed. The roof of the local hospital caved in, and a landslide blocked access to the town. Radio reports from Totora indicated that town, too, was virtually destroyed.

Provincial Gov. Johnny Ferrel said he expected the death toll to rise as rescue workers dig through the rubble.

In the first 12 hours after the quake, another 150 aftershocks were reported, sending panicked residents fleeing from any buildings left standing.

About 30,000 people live in the area hit by the quakes, which were felt in the capital, La Paz, about 350 miles (560 kilometers) to the west. Most of the people in the quake area are Quecha Indians.

With landslides blocking roads, army paratroopers were dropped from helicopters into areas where help was needed. Helicopters also brought food and medicine from Cochabamba, 80 miles (130 kilometers) to the north, and returned there with injured victims.

Friends and relatives jammed the main hospital in Cochabamba, trying to find loved ones among the injured.

Bolivian President Hugo Banzer flew to Aiquile to lead the rescue effort, calling the earthquakes "a great national tragedy."

"We are taking our solidarity to the victims and their families," he said. "We are going to help them with everything available."

Reuters contributed to this report.

Related story:

• Bolivia climate change project finalized - March 11, 1998

Related site:

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• Bolivia Web - Frameset - Contents
• Earthquake Information
• The World-Wide Earthquake Locator

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