Alert

Costa Rica - No. 3/2009

Earthquake hits San Pedro de Poás

Geneva, 13 January 2009

An earthquake of 6.2 on the Richter scale occurred in San Pedro de Poás, Alajuela on 8 January at 1:21 pm local time. The epicenter was localized at 10 km east of the Poás volcano, at a depth of 6 km according to reports from the auxiliary committees of the Red Cross and the Volcanic and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI). The earthquake was strongly felt across the country. More than 2,000 aftershocks followed and tremors continue, keeping high tensions among the population living close to the epicenter.

The most affected communities are Poasito, San Rafael de Vara Blanca, La Virgen de Sarapiquí, Sabanilla de Alajuela, Cinco esquinas de Carrizal and San Isidro de Alajuela. The earthquake caused landslides, mudslides, low water levels in rivers near the epicenter, and the destruction of homes and infrastructure. Some roads had to be closed because of the land and mudslides.

According to the latest figures from the Costa Rican Red Cross, 18 people are reported dead, 91 injured, 47 missing and 1,419 are cut off. An estimated total of 2,326 are currently living in refuge. About 225 houses, 25 roads, 9 bridges and 20 aqueducts were destroyed. An estimated 928 persons remain without electricity.

These figures are likely to increase as some communities cannot yet be accessed. Moreover, there was report of some vehicles buried. Rescue groups have warned that more landslides and mudslides could happen as the soil has become unstable in some areas.

The Government of Costa Rica declared a red alert in different areas of the country and is constantly monitoring the seismic activity. Regional and local emergency committees have been activated. People needing urgent medical attention are being evacuated to medical facilities. The Costa Rican Red Cross mobilized more than 159 rescuers in the affected area to search for injured persons, people that may remain trapped or who live in cut off areas.

ACT member, the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica (ILCO), is currently assessing the situation through its contacts with community leaders and local associations. Given the magnitude of the emergency, it is planning to support those affected by the earthquake and will decide in the coming days whether to submit an ACT Rapid Response Fund request or an Appeal to the ACT Coordinating Office.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.