EARTHQUAKE SHAKES DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - NO AMCITS

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 005118 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR MCISAAC, CA/OCS/ACS/WHA HALDANE, OFDA, OBO/PE/DE/CSB DAI OH & HAO BUI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC DR EAIR EWWT SENV SOCI SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE SHAKES DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - NO AMCITS REPORTED INJURED ¶1. At 12:45 a.m. on September 22, an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck the Dominican Republic approximately nine miles south of the resort town of Puerto Plata and 12 miles north of the interior city of Santiago. No AmCit deaths or injuries have been reported by the US Consular agent in Puerto Plata or other sources. Embassy contacts and local media are reporting two local deaths due to heart attacks but "many" injuries. ¶2. Two hospitals in the northern part of the country have been evacuated so that officials can assess the structural damage to the buildings. Schools in Santiago, Puerto Plata and San Francisco de Macoris are closed, and many offices and businesses in the region are closed. Damage to the highway between Puerto Plata and Santiago is being assessed by local public works employees. The Carol Morgan School in Santo Domingo, attended by many Mission children, reported no damage or injuries. ¶3. Our contacts in the affected region report major damage to some buildings in Puerto Plata, including partial collapse of the second story of a government bank; damage to the "old pier" putting it out of service for the time being; and cracks in an airport terminal serving American Airlines, which has canceled all flights. A "new pier" is still available for vessels putting into the port. A few houses/places of business in both cities collapsed or suffered major damage, and more buildings sustained cracks or other damage to walls, awnings, and billboards. The tremor awakened many people in Santo Domingo, knocked some pictures off walls and some items off shelves. ¶4. Several aftershocks, one of which registered 5.1 on the Richter scale, were felt in the early morning hours. Officials are warning that aftershocks may continue. An emergency number for the Red Cross emergency center is being broadcast on local radio and television stations (809-472-0909). HERTELL